Nephthys
Moderator Posts: 3684
From: California
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted March 01, 2008 11:46 AM
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2008
GIRAFFE BORN OVERNIGHT AT SAN FRANCISCO ZOO
Female calf in African Savanna side yard with mom; needs to nurse soon
February 25, 2008 – The San Francisco Zoo is delighted to announce the birth of female giraffe calf early this morning. Gezi, who is more than 8 years old, gave birth sometime between 3 and 6 AM. When keepers arrived at work at 8 AM they discovered Gezi and her calf inside the giraffe barn. Media are invited to photograph the newborn calf if she remains outdoors with her mother.
“Gezi is a proven mom, having raised one calf already” said Chief Veterinarian Jacqueline Jencek. “We want to give her an opportunity to bond with the newborn, but thus far she has not nursed. If the calf does not nurse within the next few hours, we will have to attempt to bottle-raise her.”
Presently, Gezi is outside with her calf. If it remains sunny and if the baby starts nursing they will remain in the side yard of the African Savanna for most of the day.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have another giraffe born,” said Bob Jenkins, director of animal care and conservation. “The herd of three females and one male giraffe has made the San Francisco Zoo’s new African Savanna their home since 2004. Floyd, who is more than 5 years old and quite prolific, has fathered five calves since then.”
Baby giraffes drop approximately 5 feet when they are born, hitting the ground with a plop. They generally weight approximately 150 pounds and are 5 – 6 feet tall.
About giraffes
The San Francisco Zoo has five reticulated giraffes. “Reticulated” refers to the netlike pattern of the animals’ fur. The male Floyd is more than 5 years old and came from the Albuquerque Zoo in January 2004. The three female giraffes are Gezi (more than 8 years old), Kristin (almost 6 years old), and Bititi (almost 5 years old), and Bulldozer who was born in August 2007. Originally from Africa, reticulated giraffes prefer savanna regions with grasslands and lightly wooded areas.
About the San Francisco Zoo
The historic San Francisco Zoo is Northern California’s largest zoological park and has an annual attendance of one million visitors. Encompassing 100 acres, the Zoo is located on the Great Highway between Skyline and Sloat Boulevards, next to the Pacific Ocean. For more information, you can visit our web site at www.sfzoo.org or call (415) 753-7080.IP: Logged |
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