Just before Mother’s Day, visitors at the Metro Richmond Zoo witnessed the birth of a new giraffe calf. The female calf was born May 9 to 14-year-old mother Chrissy and 9-year-old father Bogey.
Zookeepers first noticed Chrissy going into active labor around 10 a.m. Saturday. While giraffes at the zoo typically give birth in a private stall, “once active labor began, it became clear that Chrissy would deliver outside, in front of zoo guests,” the zoo said in a news release. The giraffe is “known for her quick deliveries.”
The calf was born at 10:25 a.m. When giraffes are born, they emerge feet-first and drop 6 feet to the ground. “While dramatic to witness, the fall is completely natural and helps sever the umbilical cord while stimulating the baby’s first breath,” the release said.
The calf stood about an hour after her birth. The zoo did not announce her exact size, but said calves are typically about 6 feet tall and weigh around 150 to 175 pounds. She will nearly double her weight in the next year.
Chrissy was born at the Metro Richmond Zoo in 2011 and had to be bottle-fed by zoo staff because of maternal neglect. With the help of keepers, Chrissy grew into a healthy adult and has now given birth to three calves. Chrissy’s previous calf, Clover, was present for the birth and was able to see, smell, and lick her new sister.
This is the zoo’s 24th giraffe calf born since 2000.
The new calf and Chrissy will be visible outside on most days, according to the zoo. As the calf gets older, she will eventually join the full giraffe herd in the larger habitat.
Guests can share name suggestions for the new calf in comments on the zoo’s social media posts.
Feature image courtesy Metro Richmond Zoo
