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First giraffe born in Singapore Zoo for almost thirty years

The unnamed calf currently measures at 1.9 metres

Olivia Blair
Thursday 12 November 2015 07:25 EST
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The calf spends his time 'exploring and running around' his surroundings
The calf spends his time 'exploring and running around' his surroundings (Wildlife Reserves Singapore)

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A baby giraffe has been born in Singapore Zoo.

The male calf, who was born in late August, but photos of which have only just been released, is the first giraffe to be born in the zoo in 28 years.

The young calf, who is currently still unnamed, is reportedly quite tall for a baby, measuring at 1.9 metres.

For the first month of his life, the calf was kept with his mother Roni and was separated from the other giraffes to allow bonding and feeding.

The calf bonds with his mother Roni
The calf bonds with his mother Roni (Wildlife Reserves Singapore)

The calf has since been introduced to his father Growie and other members of the herd with the zoo believing he has now been accepted.

Like most toddlers, he spends his day “exploring and running around” but will “race back to the safety of his mother’s towering presence when faced with something unfamiliar”, according to the zoo.

The calf so far has a diet of his mother’s milk, leaves and chopped vegetables like carrots.

Dr Cheng Wen-Haur, Chief life Sciences Officer at Wildlife Reserves Singapore said: “Animal babies are always a cause for celebration… We hope the calf will tug at visitor’s heartstrings and inspire them to find out more about giraffes.”

Giraffes are currently listed on the IUCN List of Threatened Species. Although ranked in the ‘least concern’ category, the giraffe population has been in decline in recent years, with one reason being poaching.

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