Indianapolis Zoo Welcomes Tall New Arrival to Giraffe Herd

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: November 11, 2020 11:10 am

A giraffe calf is the newest arrival at the Indianapolis Zoo

Photo Credit: Indianapolis Zoo

The Indianapolis Zoo has shared their latest arrival, a male reticulated giraffe calf. Born on November 8th at 4.35am the calf may be a baby but certainly isn’t small. He already stands 1.8m (6ft) tall and weighs 62kg (137lbs).

He’s already growing and may eventually measure up to 5.5m (18ft) tall.

This calf is the first for 3 year old mother, Kita who was born at Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. The father is 10 year old Majani. Keepers say the calf takes after his father with lighter caramel colored spots. Their spots help to provide camouflage on the arid plains they call home.

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Kita gave birth to the calf standing up as all giraffes do. Despite this abrupt arrival in to the world the calf is standing within an hour.

Keepers describe the calf as curious and report he is following mom and feeding well. With his arrival the Indianapolis Zoo herd now includes 5 members who are showing interest in the calf and licking him through the stall fence.

As winter sets in the giraffe herd are currently inside their climate controlled winter barn. The calf will make his public debut in the spring.

A giraffe calf is the newest arrival at the Indianapolis Zoo

Photo Credit: Indianapolis Zoo

Giraffes are currently vulnerable to extinction. To help prevent this the Indianapolis Zoo maintains an active giraffe breeding program through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.

Learn more about giraffe here – Giraffe Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about the Indianapolis Zoo on their website – Indianapolis Zoo