Monday night, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo welcomed its newest member.
The zoo’s 200th giraffe was born to a worldwide audience, as the birth was live streamed online.
The zoo said the calf, which is female, is the fifth offspring of 20-year-old mother, Muziki. The calf is the fourth baby to be sired by dad, Khalid, and brings the zoo’s giraffe herd total to 18.
The new calf, which is has yet to be named, was born at 8:20 p.m. If you were watching the live stream, you saw the baby try to get to its feet shortly after birth, which the zoo says is normal. After about two hours, the young giraffe was still unable to stand up, and members of the zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams decided to step in.
The zoo reported that their teams were able briefly separate mother and calf, giving the vets a chance to do a quick check and help the newborn to her feet. The zoo said it was at this time they discovered the calf was female.
The zoo’s animal care team estimates the calf at 5’8" and 120 pounds.
After the zoo’s animal care team observed the calf standing and walking on its own for a few minutes, mother Muziki was allowed back into the stall with the calf. Since that time, the zoo reports that mother and baby are bonding and exhibiting normal, natural behaviors.
Assuming everything is normal with Muziki and her calf, the zoo said visitors will be able to view the two in the giraffe building beginning today.
Prior to the birth, the zoo had asked the public for name suggestions for the new calf. Now that they know the calf is female, the zoo said they will narrow the suggestions to three finalists. The public will be able to vote on their favorites in the near future.
