Zookeepers at a zoo in Hampshire are celebrating the “miraculous” birth of a baby giraffe, even though its mother was using contraception.
Ruby, a Rothschild giraffe, gave birth to a male calf last Wednesday at Marwell Zoo near Winchester.
A zoo spokeswoman said: “Mother Ruby, father Mburu and their calf are all Rothschild giraffes and the species is listed as near threatened on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List.”
Mother and baby both had difficulty adjusting to feeding, a zoo spokeswoman said (Marwell Zoo/PA)PA Media – Marwell Zoo
“The beautiful little bundle of joy, who is already over 1.50 m tall, is the first new addition to the giraffe herd at Marwell Zoo since 2012, the same year Ruby was born.
“This is all the more spectacular when you consider that Ruby took the pill, which made her new calf a little miracle baby.”
The spokeswoman explained that the giraffe house had to be closed after the birth because the young animal had contracted an infection that had to be treated with antibiotics.
She said: “As a first-time mother, Ruby was unsure of the new arrival and they both struggled to adjust to breastfeeding.
He is a curious guy and loves to explore his surroundings. Like all small children, he absolutely hates it when his mom cleans behind his ears.
Zoo veterinarian Elyse Summerfield-Smith
“Working together, our teams have strengthened the bond between the two while ensuring the cub does not become dehydrated, a very real risk if early feeding is not successful.
“The calf is not out of the woods yet as the risk of reinfection is high and babies are always more vulnerable in the first few days, but things are looking much more positive.”
Elyse Summerfield-Smith, veterinarian at the zoo, said: “Ruby’s birth was normal and the calf was born after just under four hours.
“Ruby is a first-time mother and like all first-time mothers, she was a little nervous at first.
Rothschild giraffes are listed as near threatened on the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (Marwell Zoo/PA).PA Media – Marwell Zoo
“However, with the calm and the wide range of help and support from the hoof care and veterinary teams, she has settled into her role well.
“Despite the short birth time, Ruby’s recovery was difficult and required several days of rest for medical treatment. However, she is now fully recovered.
“Ruby’s calf had some difficulty figuring out where the milk was coming from at first, but after some treatment from the vets and hoof care teams, he now seems to have succeeded.
“He is a curious guy and likes to explore his surroundings. Like all little children, he hates it when his mom cleans behind his ears.”
“Like all newborns, the giraffe calf has caused many sleepless nights for the ungulate and veterinary teams, but we are delighted that Ruby and her calf are doing really well.
Head Animal Keeper Zoe Newnham
Zoe Newnham, senior animal keeper in the ungulate department, said: “Like all newborns, the giraffe calf has caused many a sleepless night for the ungulate and veterinary teams, but we are delighted that Ruby and her calf are doing really well.
“He is becoming more curious and confident every day and is giving the goalkeepers a lot of joy.
“It’s lovely to see Ruby bonding with him as she learns to be a mother. The calf is growing into his neck and legs, finding his feet and growing well. It’s a very exciting time for the team.”