Baby giraffe at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo now shoe-free as rear leg abnormalities improve

As he continues to grow, things are looking up for Hasani the baby giraffe.

The giraffe, born at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo on May 2, has had his therapeutic shoes removed for now, as abnormalities in his rear legs appear to be improving, the zoo said in a blog post.

Shortly after he was born, veterinarians at Woodland Park Zoo noticed Hasani's rear legs were not in alignment. He was diagnosed with hyperextended fetlocks, and his hind legs were wrapped in casts when he was just one day old.

Fetlock joints, present on animals like giraffes and horses, are colloquially referred to as "ankles" because of where they are located on an animal's leg, though they bend and function more like a human's first knuckle than ankle.

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The hyperextension in this joint caused it to bend farther than usual on the infant giraffe. Casts helped support Hasani's legs until shoes, designed by a Kentucky-based equine veterinarian who specializes in foot conditions, could be applied.

Hasani has been wearing the shoes for two weeks. Woodland Park Zoo shared a video on its Facebook page last week of Hasani running around with the shoes.

But over the weekend, one of the shoes fell off, the zoo said in its blog. Hasani appeared to be walking well without it, so zoo staff did not intervene. Later, they removed the other shoe.

"We're pleased to report there is marked improvement in both rear limbs. Hasani's walking well and continues to readily stand and lie down. He remains active like a calf his age should," Tim Storms, associate veterinarian, said in the zoo's blog. "We will continue to closely observe his gait, foot position, any limb and foot changes, energy and nursing."

Kinesiology tape will remain in use on the young giraffe's hind legs to stimulate and support his leg muscles.

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Hasani has been introduced to his aunt and keepers are targeting next week to introduce him to his father. The baby giraffe can be viewed by zoo visitors on a daily basis, though he and his mother are free to retreat to a private barn for nursing and naps.

"We don't have an established viewing schedule yet," mammal curator Martin Ramirez said. "He's most active in the mornings prancing and galloping around, which is great exercise for him."

Other than the leg abnormalities, Hasani remains in good health and is estimated to weigh more than 200 pounds. Keepers say he loves to spend time outside and has been seen nibbling on plants, though nursing is still his primary source of nutrition.