The Los Angeles Zoo has recently celebrated the birth of a new male calf to their Masai giraffe, Zainabu. The rare breed faces critical challenges, but the successful birth marks a victory for animal conservation efforts. The calf was born healthy and was able to stand, walk, and nurse within 90 minutes of birth according to the official announcement on their Twitter account.
Baby alert! 📷Masai giraffe Zainabu recently gave birth to an adorable male calf. “We were happy to have a safe and healthy delivery of the newest arrival to our giraffe herd. He was standing, walking, and nursing within 90 minutes after birth,” said Animal Keeper Mike Bona. pic.twitter.com/5wt4c2GMyP
— Los Angeles Zoo (@LAZoo) November 7, 2023
Masai giraffes have seen a 50-percent decline in their population over the last three decades. The birth of the new calf stands as a crucial achievement in the preservation of this breed. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums' cooperative breeding program, the Masai Giraffe Species Survival Plan (SSP), played a role in this success. The SSP aims to maintain both genetic diversity and sustainability among North American zoo populations.
In addition to giraffe's breeding, the Los Angeles Zoo continues its conservation efforts with the SSP. The newly born calf will join the rest of the herd at the Zoo's Africa section, which is open for public viewing, weather-dependent.
