DUBLIN ZOO welcomed another new arrival to its ranks this week with the birth of a male Rothchild giraffe calf.
The infant, who has yet to be named, was born in the early hours of Thursday, September 26.
Weighing 60kg and standing tall at 1.8 metres, the new-born joins the rest of the giraffe herd at Dublin Zoo, along with his father Tafari and his mother Casey.
🦒Giraffe Calf Born at Dublin Zoo🦒
Dublin Zoo is proud to announce the birth of a male Rothschild giraffe calf. Born in the early hours of Thursday 12th September, the healthy giraffe calf stands at 1.8 meters tall and weighs an estimated 60kg!
He is yet to be named🤫 pic.twitter.com/K3fTl5R1AH— Dublin Zoo (@DublinZoo) September 26, 2019
Dublin Zoo confirmed the news on Twitter, sparking an a flurry of suggestions for names with everything from “Alan” to “Giraffey mcgiraffeface” put forward.
Speaking in the wake of the new arrival Dublin Zoo Keeper Pamela O’Brian provided an update on Casey and her calf, who is already making quite an impression.
“We are very excited about the latest addition to the giraffe herd. Casey, his mother is doing an excellent job and is very attentive to her new-born,” she said.
“The calf is full of energy and very inquisitive.”
Rothschild male giraffes can grow up to six metres in height, can weigh over 1500kg and their lifespan is generally 20 years.
According to the Rothschild Giraffe Project and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, fewer than 670 remain in the wild, making the Rothschild one of the most threatened of the nine sub-species of giraffe.
To celebrate the new arrival in the giraffe herd the zoo also recently announced the Giraffe House Challenge.
They are calling on school students to help them design the most sustainable Giraffe House that caters for the giraffe’s needs while also allowing visitors to see them.
🦒New educational programme – Giraffe House Challenge🦒 We are calling on school students to help us design the most sustainable Giraffe House, one that caters to their various needs while also ensuring visitors can see them! More info: [email protected] or 01 474 8932 pic.twitter.com/ruEfGxRXsw
— Dublin Zoo (@DublinZoo) September 26, 2019
Dublin Zoo has celebrated a number of new arrivals this year.
In June the zoo welcomed three baby sea lion pups.
The pups were born to three different mothers across the zoo over a 7-day period.
The zoo also welcomed a baby western lowland gorilla in back in April who was named Asali.
The name was chosen after a nationwide competition won by Ina Walsh from Co Kildare.
Here’s hoping Dublin Zoo announce another competition to name its newest arrival!
See More: Baby Giraffe, Dublin, Dublin Zoo, Giraffe
