Australia Zoo in Queensland captured the birth of its second baby giraffe in a month on film, after first-time mum Penny went into labour earlier than expected.
The healthy female calf was born at 11.51am last Thursday, less than a day after keepers had moved her mother into the birthing suite.
They had noticed Penny distancing herself from the herd in the previous week, a common behaviour among giraffes soon to give birth.
The move meant the giraffe’s birth and wobbly first steps were recorded.
Australia Zoo curator Kelsey Engle said the latest newborn was a healthy height and weight.
“She found her feet very soon after birth, and started suckling from mum not long after,” Ms Engle said.
“Penny is also adjusting really well to motherhood in these early stages. She began licking and cleaning the baby almost immediately after the birth, and seems to be a really affectionate mother.”
Ms Engle said the pair bonded quickly.
“In fact, the bub is following her mum so closely that the pair has already ventured outside together,” she said.
“We are really thrilled with how everything is going.”
The latest arrival came less than a month after Sally the giraffe gave birth to Tulip on July 10.
Australia Zoo’s first giraffe calf, Skye, was born to mum Rosie in October 2013.
All three calves are fathered by the zoo’s only male giraffe, Forrest.
- Brisbane Times.
