Omaha zoo announces birth of giraffe calf

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A giraffe calf was born last weekend at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, officials announced Wednesday.

The zoo says that a female giraffe calf was born at 12:40 a.m. on Sunday.

The calf, which weighed 108 pounds and measured 5-foot-7, stood for the first time at 1:30 a.m.

Her mother is 8-year-old Zola and her father is 14-year-old Jawara, according to a press release.

Staff is providing “around-the-clock” care for the calf, as Zola did not show the expected level of maternal care, the zoo says.

“Our team spends months preparing for animal births and for as many different outcomes as imaginable,” said Dr. Taylor Yaw, director of animal health at the zoo, in the release. “In this case, as we monitored Mom and calf after the birth, we were able to make the decision to intervene. We provided nutrition and medical care to the calf, which included a plasma transfusion from father Jawara’s previously banked plasma. Our team is working to transition the calf to a bottle.”

Zola is doing well with the giraffe herd, but staff will continue observing her for any post-partum concerns, the zoo says.

The Syd and Betty Cate Giraffe Herd Room will be temporarily closed to allow for proper care and quiet time for the calf.

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