Infant animals are undeniably charming, but there’s a unique enchantment surrounding the introduction of a baby giraffe. Unlike many newborns, giraffes can measure over six feet tall upon birth and immediately stand on their own.
That’s precisely why Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, situated in Colorado, is brimming with enthusiasm over their most recent addition: a female baby giraffe who made her debut on Wednesday morning.
The declaration comes after a 15-month gestation period by 10-year-old mother Bailey. As per a statement from the zoo, a “fortunate group of visitors” witnessed Bailey’s amniotic fluid release as she entered the labor stage.
Moreover, a substantial number of individuals, numbering in the tens of thousands, experienced the live birth of the baby giraffe through a YouTube livestream facilitated by the zoo.
Giraffes have one of the most distinctive birthing processes in the animal kingdom: They give birth to the third-largest newborns, weighing approximately 165 pounds, surpassed only by blue whales and elephants.
Following the extensive gestation period, baby giraffes are born relatively developed and begin their first unsteady steps within an hour after birth.
The same held true for this recently born giraffe, as mentioned by the zoo, who made multiple attempts to stand independently before finding her balance.
The young giraffe is presently without a name, as per the “Cheyenne Mountain Zoo tradition,” which entails waiting for 30 days before bestowing a name upon her.
Although an exact weight and height are currently unknown, she appears to stand approximately 6 feet tall and weighs roughly 125 pounds.
This newborn is the second offspring of mother Bailey and now joins the ranks of the zoo’s reticulated giraffe herd as its 17th member. Her father, Khalid, is a male giraffe.
The mother and baby have been fostering a strong bond, and zoo visitors can catch a glimpse of them from a short distance within the giraffe barn. Additionally, they can be observed through the zoo’s livestream.
Giraffes have been classified as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List since 2018, making every new birth a cause for celebration in the conservation of this endangered species.
We wish this adorable giraffe calf a future filled with growth, strength, and impressive height! Congratulations to mother Bailey on her second successful birth!
If you have a fondness for giraffes, feel free to share this wonderful news! ❤️🦒
Rewritten Source: theanimalclub.net/little-ones/zoo-celebrates-birth-of-precious-newborn-reticulated-giraffe/