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The newest, tallest zoo baby

Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Communications
Photos by: Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo


Standing in front of its mother about 13 hours after birth. 

Woodland Park Zoo’s newest little one is in fact quite big: taller than some of its zookeepers, even! Welcome to the world a 5½-foot-tall giraffe, born to 6-year-old mom Olivia last night, August 6 at 7:03 p.m. The labor lasted about 1.5 hours and the little one was already standing just another 1.5 hours after birth.

This is the face we've been waiting for!

Zookeepers were on watch round the clock, and were able to hit record on our video camera just in time to catch the labor begin after a 14- to 15-month gestation period. Olivia wandered in and out of frame, and this video shows the breathtaking moments we were able to catch, from the baby emerging feet first, to its earliest moments after birth, including first efforts at trying to stand.


The calf is standing, nursing from mom and bonding with her, all good signs in these critical first hours. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the new family over the next several weeks to track the calf’s progress.

Animal care staff will keep an eye on the family to make sure Olivia continues to provide maternal care and the giraffe continues to nurse and grow.

For the time, they’ll be off view together in the giraffe barn so they can have minimal distractions. But we expect to see the calf follow mom to the outdoor corral of the barn within a week or two, and visitors will be able to see them from there.

Can you spot the baby?

Viewing will be sporadic as the family will have the choice to return indoors to the off-view barn—we appreciate your patience! In a few months’ time we’ll introduce the calf to the African Savanna where it will coexist with other wildlife including zebra, oryx and gazelle. Olivia’s sister, 5-year-old Tufani, will also live side by side with the family.

Many of you will remember the calf’s father, Chioke, who passed away in January. Chioke was sweet tempered and a joy to be around—we can only imagine some of that same spirit will live on in our newest little one, big as it may already be!

The calf's father, Chioke, is remembered for his sweet temper.

Olivia and Chioke were paired under a breeding recommendation made by the Giraffe Species Survival Plan (SSP), a conservation breeding program overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Led by experts in husbandry, nutrition, veterinary care, behavior, and genetics, SSPs manage populations in North America to maximize their genetic and demographic diversity with the goal of ensuring their long-term survival. SSPs also involve a variety of other collaborative conservation activities such as research, public education, reintroduction and field projects.

Those distinctive big eyes are already alert and watching.

With their towering height and big, wide-set searching eyes, giraffes act as the lookout for savanna wildlife in their native Africa. But now it’s our turn to look out for them. The population of giraffes has declined by more than 40% over the past 15 years with current estimates of only 80,000 individuals remaining in Africa. Among the nine subspecies of giraffes, the West African and Rothschild’s are endangered, with fewer than 200 and more than 500, respectively, remaining in the wild. Giraffes face a number of threats including poaching, habitat loss in their feeding ranges, and the soaring human population growth.


People can help preserve these towering animals and their wild places by taking action at home in their everyday lives. Discover a variety of steps to take at home and the workplace that positively impact our planet. 

You can also directly fund the care of giraffes and other animals at the zoo by becoming a giraffe ZooParent today, and $5 of your adoption will go straight to our field conservation efforts around the world. Thanks for your support!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Well is it a boy or girl??????
We don't know just yet, but the calf will have its first exam shortly and we expect to post an update with that news tomorrow.
Anonymous said…
When you update us, we want to know how much it weighs, too!
Anonymous said…
Look at those eyes! What a cutie:)
Anonymous said…
Can't wait to come a see mom and baby!!!
Anonymous said…
He weighs 144 lbs!
Anonymous said…
whats his name
Anonymous said…
What a BEAUTY!
Anonymous said…
whats his name?
No naming plans just yet. We'll update when we know more on the subject!
Anonymous said…
What a beautiful miracle! Congratulations to Olivia and to the Woodland Park Zoo for it's world famous accomodations and conservation care. We are so lucky to live in Seattle to enjoy all this!
Anonymous said…
OMG !!!!Cuteness Overload !!
Anonymous said…
My 3 year old daughter Olivia has been so excited waiting for Olivia to have her baby! I am so glad our family got memberships this year, so many babies! If Olivia's baby is a boy, we vote for naming him CJ (Chioke Jr.) or Gus (Augustus). For a girl, either Summer or Savannah. I have 3 daughters, they like to name things, lol
Anonymous said…
My 3 year old daughter Olivia has been so excited waiting for Olivia to have her baby! I am so glad our family got memberships this year, so many babies! If Olivia's baby is a boy, we vote for naming him CJ (Chioke Jr.) or Gus (Augustus). For a girl, either Summer or Savannah. I have 3 daughters, they like to name things, lol
Anonymous said…
Congrats! Olivia and Woodland Park Zoo.
Anonymous said…
does he have teeth yet?
Anonymous said…
What a year for Woodland Park Zoo employees with all of these beautiful babies! I can't wait to see this new one and am going to see the Jaguar babies tomorrow. :)
Anonymous said…
Let's name him George :)
Erica said…
My 4 year old daughter Kambree has had a love for Giraffe's since she was about a year old. She has a whole family of stuffed animal giraffe's. There is Momma Jeffrey, Daddy Jeffrey, Baby Jeffrey, Brother Jeffrey and cousin Jeffrey. She has even had giraffes painted on her shoes! It would be so fitting and exciting if you named the new baby Giraffe Jeffrey! She is so excited to come see it. Shes been asking about the baby giraffe for over a month now.
Anonymous said…
He looks more like a Bolt. name him Bolt.
Anonymous said…
name him Bolt. Bolts come fast. he was born fast! he wanted to live an adventure and be out of his moms tummy! :D
Anonymous said…
Like I have said before, name him BOLT! Bolts come fast and they juts want to hit the ground! And the baby giraffe just came fast! the first thing he did was flop on the ground and kept on trying to stand and walk! Now, that's like a lightning bolt! NAME HIM BOLT! - Virginia. :)
Anonymous said…
Congrats on the birth of your new baby Giraffe! Since you haven't named him yet I would ask that you consider naming him Baba. The name would honor Brittany Babinski who was killed by a drunk driver the day after Baba was born. She was a beautiful, 6'3" former dancer on the West Valley (Spokane) Dance Team. For good reason, she loved Giraffes! She even has one as the background photo on her Facebook page. If you need any additional information you can contact me (her dance coach)at jodee.cahalan@wvsd.org Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Anonymous said…
I like this suggestion!
Anonymous said…
Name him Jaffey
Anonymous said…
Chioke Jr. In honor of his father.
Anonymous said…
His name should be Oswald or George Raffe.
Anonymous said…
no lets name him timba
Anonymous said…
I still like names like- Harold, Henry, ollie, Elvis, Theodore.
Anonymous said…
Jeffrey would be cute! :-)
Anonymous said…
I think you should name it Mr.spots the giraffe
Anonymous said…
I think you should name trent because I think it would be a good name for the giraffe