HOUSTON - A baby giraffe in Houston named after retired NBA star Yao Ming died after contracting infection, a local TV channel reported on April 19.

The seven-week-old giraffe at Houston Zoo was euthanized Friday morning after a month-long battle with a bone infection in his right shoulder and left hip, according to ABC13.

Vet staff began an aggressive treatment after the infection was discovered, but still could not cure the disease, the report said.

The giraffe seemed to be improving after a surgery last week but then the X-rays taken this week showed the permanent damage.

Yao, the former Houston Rockets center, lived in Houston for ten years.