Mario Eijs, 54, passed away two days ago from brain cancer.
Earlier, to fulfill his dying wish, the Ambulance Wish Foundation had taken Mario to the Rotterdam Zoo giraffe enclosure.
Foundation director Kees Veldboer said the animals recognised the zookeeper and immediately sensed he wasn’t doing well.
According to Mario’s colleagues, he was well-known by all the animals.
Mario had been working in the Dutch zoo for over 25 years and the enclosure holding the giraffes was the one under his especial care. Last week when Mario was brought there in his hospital bed, the giraffe (photo) approached him as soon as he was wheeled in, and nuzzled his face.
Source: Summarized from article in Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, ‘Giraffenman Mario overleden‘ (24 March 2014)
*** *** ***
RIP Mario Eijs.
Even wild animals know to mourn the sadness of passing.
(135 words)
Helen Ang 
Yes, I agree that even wild animals know to mourn the sadness of passing. Some of the wild pigeons at my home came to say goodbye to my mom and me when they knew that they’re going to die of old age.
One pigeon even stayed in my living room before she let out her last breath at 7.30 p.m. on 10th March this year. I buried her in my garden that very night. Animals do have feelings and at least, they are more sincere than most humans.
True dedication and devotion.
Not something people today practice
Danish zookeepers kill healthy baby giraffe with a bolt gun because he was ‘surplus to requirements’ – then feed him to the LIONS
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2555079/Danish-zoo-kills-young-giraffe-deemed-surplus-feeds-lions.html
Beautiful story of the relationship between Human and Animal. it make me cry Helen…
:dsarah
I nkow this out of topic. This tweet of Malaysian chinese & protester something similar,13 million people. Can any chinese speaker there tell what it say ?
I can’t google translate.https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=811805032180925&set=a.101874766507292.4274.100000543084712&type=1&theater
He is wishing harm to befall Najib.
Urm, specifically he is wishing for the PM to be knocked down by a car (duh). This comes after his curse called upon the BN. And he claims to be speaking on behalf of 1.3 billion Chinese (double duh).
[YouTube]
Bless the Beasts and the Children
For in this world they have no voice
They have no choice
Bless the beasts and the children
For the world can never be
The world they see
Light their way when the darkness surrounds them
And give them Love, let it Shine all around them
Bless the beasts and the children
Give them shelter from the storm
Keep them safe, keep them warm
(the children)
(the children)
(the children)