The rescue effort began on July 11, 2026, when zookeeper Matt Corrie received an urgent alert from the International Center for Care and Conservation of Giraffes. A newborn at the Kansas facility faced a life-threatening emergency, necessitating immediate plasma intervention. Corrie departed within the hour to deliver the stored biological material, marking the first time the zoo’s long-term banking program was tapped for a clinical emergency.

This outcome follows years of logistical preparation. In 2018, a fundraiser secured the $10,000 required to purchase ultra-low temperature freezers for the Dickerson Park Zoo animal hospital. The successful transfusion highlights the importance of the Giraffe Plasma Bank System, a collaborative network where trained giraffes like Mili and Grady undergo voluntary blood draws. These efforts allow zoos to maintain a vital supply of plasma, which remains a rare and life-saving resource for facilities across the country.