Baby Giraffe (August 18, 2009)
INDIANAPOLIS -
The Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of a reticulated giraffe calf on Saturday, August 15. The male calf was born to Takasa and was sired by our adult male, Eddie.
The calf is about six feet tall and weighs 156 pounds, and he actually just started to arrive while mom and the rest of the herd were on exhibit.
The keepers were quickly on the spot and were able to get the giraffes inside the barn before the little giraffe made his entrance after about 50 minutes of labor. If all goes well, mother and calf should be available for the public to see on exhibit in approximately two weeks.
He will receive a name when all the zookeepers who work with the giraffes have a chance to "weigh in" on the available options. Names are normally selected to honor the home range of our animals and to reflect the animal's personality.
This is the fourth offspring for Takasa and Eddie - all males. Her first calf did not survive, but her 2005 baby, Jakobi, now resides at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, and her 2007 baby, Taji, is happily escounced at the Peoria Zoo.
Takasa is the daughter of the Zoo's "senior" female Elena and the Zoo's former breeding male, Ernie. Elena is also pregnant and due to deliver late this year. Stay tuned!
The calf is about six feet tall and weighs 156 pounds, and he actually just started to arrive while mom and the rest of the herd were on exhibit.
The keepers were quickly on the spot and were able to get the giraffes inside the barn before the little giraffe made his entrance after about 50 minutes of labor. If all goes well, mother and calf should be available for the public to see on exhibit in approximately two weeks.
He will receive a name when all the zookeepers who work with the giraffes have a chance to "weigh in" on the available options. Names are normally selected to honor the home range of our animals and to reflect the animal's personality.
This is the fourth offspring for Takasa and Eddie - all males. Her first calf did not survive, but her 2005 baby, Jakobi, now resides at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, and her 2007 baby, Taji, is happily escounced at the Peoria Zoo.
Takasa is the daughter of the Zoo's "senior" female Elena and the Zoo's former breeding male, Ernie. Elena is also pregnant and due to deliver late this year. Stay tuned!
