Spotting Double. Two Baby Giraffe Born at Zoo Miami

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: April 7, 2021 2:32 am

The giraffe calf is cared for by its mother at Zoo Miami in Florida

Photo Credit: Zoo Miami/ Ron Magill

Zoo Miami have added a pair of giraffe calves to their herd. The first, an as yet unnamed male calf was born on April 2nd and enjoyed his first day on exhibit yesterday (April 5th).

While he was enjoying his first day on exhibit female Zuri was giving birth to her calf in an off-exhibit area.

The first calf was curious to explore his surroundings on his first outdoor adventure yesterday. Until then he had been spending time in an inside holding area where he was given time to bond with his mother.

A giraffe calf is the latest arrival at Zoo Miami in Florida

Photo Credit: Zoo Miami/ Ron Magill

The firstborn calf was given a neonatal exam on Sunday. During this vets and keepers conducted a general physical exam, weighed him, collected some blood and implanted a microchip for identification.

At his first weigh-in the calf already weighed a massive 82kg (181lbs).

Mia, an experienced mother of 14 calves gave birth to this calf while the father is named Malcolm. This marked the 54th giraffe born in the zoo’s history.

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On April 5th 2021 while the first calf was enjoying his exhibit debut Zuri, a 6 1/2 year old female was behind the scenes welcoming her own calf. This marked the 55th calf born in Zoo Miami’s history.

This is Zuri’s second calf and arrived at 10.30am. Keepers have observed the calf nursing well. Malcolm became a second time father with this arrival.

A neonatal exam was performed on this calf and it was confirmed to be a healthy female weighing in at 54kg (119lbs).

A giraffe calf is the latest arrival at Zoo Miami in Florida

Photo Credit: Zoo Miami/ Ron Magill

All going well this calf will enjoy its first day on exhibit tomorrow (April 7th 2021).

These calves were born after a gestation of approximately 15 months. Its a tough start to life if you are giraffe. The mother gives birth standing up leaving the baby with a 4-6 foot drop to the ground to start of their life.

Giraffe are considered vulnerable in the wild by the IUCN due to a significant population decline in recent years.