Mamas, we have a couple of trivia items for you:
How long is a giraffe’s pregnancy?
How much does a calf usually weigh?
The Denver Zoo recently made a fun announcement! After a 444-day pregnancy, 4-year-old reticulated giraffe BB gave birth to a healthy male calf on the morning of Friday, March 7 at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA). The calf is the first for BB and her mate, 4-year-old, Jasiri, and provides a critical boost for his Endangered species. DZCA’s animal care and health teams report that BB and her calf are thriving behind the scenes in their indoor habitat, and BB is showing excellent maternal instincts with the calf standing and nursing soon after birth.
The zoo didn’t release the calf’s weight, but a newborn giraffe is about 6 feet tall at birth and weighs about 150 pounds.
“Delivery went very smoothly,” said Curator of Large Mammals Maura Davis. “The teams have been watching cameras throughout the night during her birth window to check for signs of labor. Little feet were seen at about 4 a.m. and the calf was on the ground at 6 a.m. BB is doing a great job!”
Parents BB and Jasiri arrived at DZCA in 2022 from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Lee Richardson Zoo, respectively, on a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Giraffe Species Survival Program (SSP), which works to ensure the long-term survival of this Endangered species. The birth of this calf is a significant step in giraffe conservation efforts, helping to maintain a genetically healthy population in human care.
For now, BB and her baby will remain in their indoor habitat, which will be temporarily closed to guests, as they bond and adjust to their surroundings. The calf will soon be introduced to dad Jasiri and the other member of the herd, Dobby, before making his public debut. In the meantime, DZCA will provide a livestream that will be viewable on-campus for guests and online. Details about the livestream and regular updates about when the calf will be viewable to the public will be shared on DZCA’s social channels: Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Author: Mile High Mamas
