Cleveland Metroparks Zoo today announced the birth of a male giraffe calf that was born on April 15, 2019.
Calf and mom, Jada, can be visible at times to guests in the giraffe barn. They are expected to soon join the rest of the Zoo’s Masai giraffe herd in the outdoor habitat alongside dad, Bo, nearly two-year-old Zawadi and his mom, Jhasmin.
The calf was born weighing approximately 101 pounds and standing about six feet tall. While the calf has been observed nursing and bonding with mom, he is considered small compared to typical male giraffe calves that can weigh about 150 pounds at birth. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo veterinarians and animal care teams have been monitoring him closely.
“We’re excited to announce the birth of the newest member of our giraffe herd,” said Dr. Christopher Kuhar, PhD. “Spring is the perfect time to visit our Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter where you can hand-feed giraffe and learn how to take action to secure a future for their counterparts in the wild."
The birth is the first at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo since breeding male Masai giraffe, Bo, came to the Zoo in late 2017. Bo is the Zoo’s tallest giraffe at nearly 17 feet tall and has quickly become a guest favorite at the Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter. The habitat offers guests the opportunity to hand-feed giraffes and learn more about giraffe conservation.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will be announcing details on the public’s chance to help name the calf in the coming weeks.
The current giraffe population globally is estimated to be less than 80,000 and the population has decreased by nearly 40% in the last 15 years. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s
Future for Wildlife Fund helps protect giraffes by addressing poaching and illegal snaring, translocating animals to secure endangered populations, and also conducting studies on population and disease.
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