The baby female giraffe settles beneath her mother Kay yesterday. Photo / Paul Estcourt
After five sons Kay the giraffe finally got what many mothers want, a baby girl.
The 21-year-old giraffe at Auckland Zoo gave birth early yesterday to a yet-to-be-named calf.
Zoo keepers discovered the healthy baby giraffe when they arrived for work hours later.
That it was a girl,
the first female giraffe born at the zoo in 15 years, was the icing on the cake because she can provide valuable genetic stock for breeding in New Zealand or Australia.
After a 14-month gestation Kay had the baby in the shelter of the giraffe house.
She will wean the calf in about four months and it will be moved in just over a year's time to another zoo in Australasia.
The zoo is running a name competition for the baby and recommends a "name of cultural significance", possibly African or Maori. Michael Batty, the zoo's Pridelands team leader, said female calves were born smaller than the boys, but still needed to be tall enough to reach their mother's teats for milk.
Weighing in at about 55kgs and standing 1.8m, she appeared confident and relaxed, and was the third offspring to her nine-year-old dad Zabulu.
"She really looks like a girl, she is dainty."
Mr Batty said Kay was a "really good mum"and bonding well with the leggy newcomer, who was already standing and walking.
"She could run if she had to," he added.
Mother and daughter had both undergone vet checks which showed them to be in good health.
They would be gradually integrated with other giraffes, zebras and ostriches in the giraffe paddock, and visitors could expect to see them out and about in the next few weeks.
Name the giraffe
Email aucklandzoo@aucklandcity.govt.nz by Friday, August 10 with suggested name and zoo giraffe naming competition in the subject line.
A translation of the suggested name is required with contact details.
The winner gets a behind-the-scenes tour of Pridelands, including the chance to meet the baby giraffe. The name will be selected on August 13.
