Giraffe calf born at The Wilds in Cumberland – News – The Daily Jeffersonian

CUMBERLAND – Officials from The Wilds said they were proud to announce the birth of a Masai giraffe male.

Calf was born on pasture in the late afternoon of July 10 and appears to be in good health. The birth was also visible to guests during an outdoor safari to The Wilds, providing an unforgettable experience. Wilds animal care staff noted that the calf is strong and stays close to his mother. The Wilds Animal Care Team will continue to monitor the development and health of the young calf in the coming weeks.

Calf's father, Raha, was born at the Los Angeles Zoo in April 2006, and the calf's mother, Lulu, was born at the Cincinnati Zoo in October 2012. This calf is Lulu's first calf. The breeding of Raha and Lulu was based on a recommendation of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a program designed to increase genetic health and species diversity threatened and endangered in human care.

The calf can be seen by visitors during open-air and outdoor safaris. However, the calf and his mother will remain under the watchful eye of the staff of The Wilds.

"Welcoming a giraffe calf into our herd is always an incredibly exciting time for our team," said Dr. Jan Ramer, Vice President of The Wilds. "Not only is this birth a milestone here at The Wilds, but it also gives us a lot of hope and an anchor point to support dwindling populations of this species in their natural range." .

Giraffes are listed as "vulnerable" on the ICUN Red List of Threatened Species, mainly due to habitat degradation and poaching. In an effort to reduce threats to giraffes, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds are supporting several conservation projects in giraffe countries across Africa, including the Serengeti Giraffe Project in the park. National Serengeti in Tanzania. and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation in Namibia and Uganda.

Calves are born after a gestation period of about 15 months. The mother gives birth and, a few hours after birth, the calves can stand up and run alone.

Male giraffes can grow up to 18 feet in height and weigh between 1,800 and 4,300 lbs. Females measure between 13 and 15 feet and weigh between 1,200 and 2,600 lbs. Giraffes are the largest terrestrial animal species in existence and are the largest ruminants. Their native ranges are savannahs, grasslands or open forests in Central and Southern African countries.