Auckland Zoo's next generation

Two-month-old female giraffe, Nikuru nestles up to mum, Rukiya. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Meet Auckland Zoo's latest addition to its long-legged family - young Nikuru who is about to turn 2-months-old. The female calf - the zoo's 30th giraffe - yesterday nestled up to her mother, Rukiya, in her enclosure.

Nikuru was the fourth offspring of her 10-year-old mum and 13-year-old father, Zabulu, who are also parents to Jelani, now at Werribee Open Range Zoo, and Forrest, now at Australia Zoo.

Their first calf, born in May 2006, did not survive. Auckland Zoo's giraffe population now stands at four after the arrival of female giraffe Kiraka from Taronga Western Plains Zoo last year.