Posted on 09th September 2024 by Media Relations
Giraffe calf born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo ahead of Spring
Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s Giraffe herd has welcomed a leggy delivery, with a calf born into the herd just ahead of the start of Spring
Keeper Ruby Cullen shared the happy news that experienced mother Mvita gave birth to a healthy male calf on Friday 23 August 2024.
“We arrived for work at 7am and quickly realised Mvita was in the early stages of labour,” Ruby said.
“She decided to give birth in our behind-the-scenes night yard, so we were able to monitor her through the entire process. It was really special and an amazing learning experience for a couple of our team to witness their first Giraffe birth.”
Mvita delivered her calf mid-afternoon, and it was standing and suckling by 5.30pm. Mvita and her yet-to-be-named newborn calf have developed a close bond.
“Mvita was born here at the Zoo in 2011. She’s an experienced mum and knows exactly what to do and when. As soon as the calf was on the ground she was very attentive to it, giving it a good clean and making sure it stood up as soon as it possibly could,” Ruby said.
“The calf has this week ventured out with mum onto the paddock with the herd, including father Mtoto. The calf is settling in very well. Giraffe mums “stash” their calves in a safe space, and this is usually in a quiet spot towards the back corner of their paddock. We’ve got other experienced mums in the herd who are very maternal and they’ve been sharing calf-sitting duties with Mvita, which is great to see.”
As the calf grows in confidence over the coming weeks, he’ll start finding his feet and move around the paddock with the herd.
“This calf represents the first of a number of deliveries expected into our Giraffe herd this Spring,” Ruby said.
“Our breeding bull Mtoto has done a fantastic job and we have up to five more calves expected in the next little while. “We’re really excited to see this first little arrival grow and develop and be joined by other calves as Spring continues.”
The Zoo has made a significant contribution to the regional conservation breeding program for Giraffe, welcoming 60 calves since 1990. These animals serve as an important insurance population for their wild counterparts in Africa, whose numbers have declined by about 40 per cent since the 1980s.
“While wild numbers have slightly increased in recent years, in the three decades that we have been breeding giraffes here at Dubbo, their population in Africa has declined by almost 30 percent and there are only about 117,000 giraffes left in the wild,” Ruby said.
“Giraffes are now extinct in seven African countries where they once roamed, which has left them very vulnerable. This just underscores the importance of our breeding program.”
Taronga has partnered with the Northern Rangeland Trust (NRT) to sell Beads for Wildlife, an initiative that empowers women in Northern Kenya to earn a living through traditional skills, and reduces communities’ reliance on livestock which compete with wildlife like Giraffes for resources.
Taronga also supports rangers in the Biliqo-Bulesa conservancy of the NRT in Kenya; rangers who are on the frontline carrying out anti-poaching activities and wildlife monitoring.
Visitors to Taronga Western Plains Zoo can make a difference for species like Giraffe simply by visiting the Zoo, staying overnight, or buying a gift or encounter.
“Taronga is not-for-profit, so every dollar you spend here at the Zoo has the power to protect wildlife,” Ruby said.
Learn more and come face-to-face with giraffes during the daily Giraffe Encounter at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Cost is in addition to Zoo entry and bookings are essential: www.taronga.org.au/dubbo-zoo/animal-encounters/giraffe.