Taronga Western Plains Zoo Welcome a Tall New Arrival

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: July 30, 20201:50 pm

Photo Credit: Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Keepers at Taronga Western Plains Zoo have welcomed a tall new arrival with a giraffe calf joining the herd on July 1st 2020.

The female calf was born in the early hours of the morning to experienced mum Asmara with her father being Unami. This is Asmara’s fifth calf.

She has been named Layla by keepers. This means born overnight in Swahili.

With the birth of this calf Taronga Western Plains Zoo is now home to 18 giraffes across 2 herds. This calf is the 11th member of the breeding herd and 7 bulls (male giraffe) live on the main savanna.

This calf has been long anticipated with a female giraffe being pregnant for 14-16 months.

Photo Credit: Taronga Western Plains Zoo

“Layla is doing very well so far, she is a very confident calf and is already following the herd around rather than sitting in a secluded area of the paddock like most newborn calves,” said Giraffe Keeper Jack Foley.

“Visitors over the school holiday period were very lucky as she was out on exhibit with the herd from one day old, so lots of people saw her in those first couple of weeks as she was finding her feet.”

“Giraffe calves are like any other newborn, active for a period of time and then resting. The best time to see Layla is in the mornings when she is generally more active,” said Jack.

Photo Credit: Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Breeding of giraffe is important with their numbers in the wild having fallen 40% over the last 30 years owing to poaching for bush meat and habitat destruction.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo support wild giraffe herds through a partnership with Biliqo-Bulesa Conservancy, which is a large community conservancy in the Northern Rangelands Trust. They work to improve the health of the rangeland and improve wildlife security.

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

Learn more about Taronga Western Plains Zoo on their website – Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Footage Courtesy: Taronga Western Plains Zoo