Photo: Zoo New England
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — It's a girl; the newest baby giraffe calf at Boston's Franklin Park Zoo stands more than 6-feet tall making her the tallest one.
The staff at Franklin Park Zoo welcomed a female Masai giraffe calf this week. Her mother, Amari, is a 5-year-old giraffe who was also born at the Zoo.
The baby calf is already on the move, within 30 minutes of her birth, she attempted to stand. Staff said she was a bit unsteady on her feet and was moved inside the Giraffe Barn.
Not long after that, she was walking around on her own.
“The calf seems exceptionally friendly, bold, and curious. I was impressed that, once she was stable and confident enough to take her first, tentative steps, she walked right up to me before I could exit the stall,” said Dr. Chris Bonar, Senior Veterinarian in Zoo New England’s Animal Health Department.
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Bonar added Amari has been a very attentive first-time mother. Zoo officials say the new baby appears healthy, alert and weighed 170 pounds during her most recent health check.
Zoo New England is an active participant in the Massai Giraffe Species Survival Plan. “While this little giraffe is sure to steal people’s hearts, she is also an important ambassador for her species," said John Linehan, Zoo New England President and CEO.
Zoo officials say in the past few years, giraffe numbers in the wild have dropped dramatically. In addition, giraffes have been declared locally extinct in seven African countries.
The baby's public exhibit debut will be announced on Facebook.
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