West Midlands Safari Park is delighted to announce the arrival of a baby giraffe, marking one of four new births in the past fortnight. Arusha, the park’s Rothschild’s giraffe, gave birth to the 6-foot-tall (2-meter) baby boy on May 29, with the momentous event captured on CCTV.
After a lengthy 15-month gestation, the keepers were well-prepared, covering the giraffe house floor with sand to ensure a soft landing for the newborn. Ian Nock, the deputy head keeper of ungulates, shared, “This is Arusha’s fourth calf, and it plays a crucial role in giraffe conservation efforts.”
Giraffes are listed as a “vulnerable” species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, mainly due to threats like poaching and habitat destruction. Mr. Nock noted, “Arusha is an extremely attentive mother, and both she and the calf are thriving. Once the calf is ready, we’ll begin introducing them to the rest of the herd, including father Rufus and brother Kingsley. This significant birth brings our herd total to 11, marking a notable baby boom.”
This birth follows the recent arrival of two endangered barasingha fawns and precedes the birth of a blesbok calf, the first in the park’s history. “We’ve named the blesbok calf Merlin, and he remains very close to his mother, Pebbles, who is proving to be an excellent first-time mom,” Mr. Nock added. “It’s heartwarming to see the barasingha fawns playing together, a delightful sight for all of us.”