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Giraffe born in Basel Zoo

A male giraffe calf was born in Basel Zoo on 29 July, entering the world at 9:50 a.m. in the antelope house. Soon after it was born it attempted to stand on its unsteady legs to suckle on its mother’s teats. Mother Kianga (6) and her calf are doing well. Father Xamburu (6) also lives in Basel Zoo.

When the keepers entered the antelope house at 7:00 a.m. there was still no sign that Kianga was about to give birth to her calf. A short time later, however, she went into labour and the young giraffe’s forefeet began to emerge. Just 1½ hours later, the keepers and the zoo curator were looking at a healthy young calf. Kianga began caring for her young right away by licking it clean. A few minutes later, the calf stood up on its unsteady legs before finding his mother’s udders and beginning to suckle.

Owing to the good weather, Kianga and her calf will be able to go outside today for the first time.

Visitors are asked to keep noise to a minimum in the antelope house to avoid disturbing Kianga and her calf. The enclosure will be closed to the public if the mother becomes unsettled.

The as yet unnamed calf will be given a name by keepers at a later date. All giraffes in Basel Zoo are Kordofan Giraffes. This subspecies of giraffe has been kept at Basel Zoo since 2011. Kordofan Giraffes are not very widespread in the wild (Chad, Nigeria, Cameroon). Compared to all other subspecies, Kordofan Giraffes have only small, irregular spots on the inner leg. A breeding programme is in place in European zoosA male giraffe calf was born in Basel Zoo on 29 July, entering the world at 9:50 a.m. in the antelope house. Soon after it was born it attempted to stand on its unsteady legs to suckle on its mother’s teats. Mother Kianga (6) and her calf are doing well. Father Xamburu (6) also lives in Basel Zoo.