Chester Zoo celebrates the birth of a rare Rothschild's giraffe calf, captured live on CCTV cameras. The calf, born to new mum Orla, weighs over 70kg and stands at 6 feet tall. The species has experienced a 90% decline in population due to poaching and habitat loss.
The world's tallest mammal, a rare Rothschild's giraffe, has been born with the special moment captured live on CCTV cameras. Chester Zoo 's newcomer arrived into the world to new mum Orla at 11.30pm on Tuesday, March 12.
The calf fell six feet onto a bed of soft straw following a 472 day pregnancy and a labour lasting more than three hours. Zookeepers are yet to determine if the three-day old is male or female and have said the calf already weighs more than 70kg and stands at 6 foot tall – but will grow to be more than 18 foot tall and weigh 1,000kg.
Tens of thousands of Rothschild’s giraffes were once found in Kenya, Uganda and Sudan, however their population has suffered a 90% decline in recent years as a direct result of poaching and habitat loss. With just 2,500 estimated to remain across the whole of Africa, and the last major stronghold now in Kenya and Uganda, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature has listed the species as vulnerable - which means it faces a high chance of becoming extinct in the future.
Rosie Owen, who is a zookeeper on the giraffe team and was one of the first to see the new arrival, said: "So far mum and baby are doing really well and, at just two days old, they’re spending some quiet time getting to know one another. Orla is an experienced mum, and so we’re seeing all the right signs from her, she’s very nurturing and allows her little one suckle often while giving them little nudges of encouragement – especially as her calf is a little unsteady on its long legs.
"For many years giraffes underwent a silent extinction across Africa, with their declining numbers flying completely under the radar. But now, thanks to the international conservation breeding programme in zoos, paired with efforts in the wild to protect the remaining populations, numbers are slowly starting to bounce back in Uganda, Africa, where we’re working alongside our partners.
Chester Zoo Rothschild's Giraffe Calf Birth CCTV Cameras Orla Population Decline Poaching Habitat Loss
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