Giraffe born at Toledo Zoo

[TexasTowelie]

The Toledo Zoo’s newest, knobbly kneed little addition actually isn’t so little.

A female Masai giraffe born at the zoo Monday evening weighs 130 pounds and stands 5 feet, 7 inches tall.

Her name is Kipenzi, which means beloved or precious one in Swahili.

Terry Webb, director of animal programs, said the birth was normal. Veterinary staff examined the calf Tuesday and declared her healthy.

Read more and see photos: http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2017/04/07/Giraffe-born-at-Toledo-Zoo-Healthy-130-pound-female-calf-named-Kipenzi.html

[Rhiannon12866]

1. She is the cutest thing! And the video is available on YouTube:

[shenmue]

2. Squeeeeeeeee

[TheDebbieDee]

3. ANOTHER unwatched giraffe has a baby giraffe!

Meanwhile, April, the live-streaming giraffe is STILL pregnant!

[csziggy]

6. A story about a pregnant mare (from one of my foaling books)

A family bred their family horse and waited for months for the birth. A month before she was due the parents, children and grandparents set up a schedule to watch the mare every moment of the day and night so they would not miss the arrival of the foal. This went on for two months. They got the vet out and were told there was no problem, the mare would have her foal when she was ready.

Finally, it was Easter Day and the family decided to have the meal together - their first meal everyone was to eat together for over two months. They had a wonderful meal and walked outside to find the mare had foaled the first time she had been left alone for all those weeks.

I've been there - while I have been lucky to have seen the birth of a number of our foals, I have also had mares who simply would not foal if she were watched. My method was to leave the mare in a handy pasture then go out and check the mare periodically, depending on how imminent she seemed to be. Sometimes the method of finding the new foal was when the mare had extra legs!

[malthaussen]

14. Does this mean a watched giraffe never foals? n/t

[TheDebbieDee]

15. That EXACTLY what it means... Stop live-streaming April and the baby giraffe will appear!

Watched pots and Murphy's Law and all that!

[Fla Dem]

4. Beautiful baby. Too bad Toledo didn't hype their pregnant giraffe Mom like Animal Adventure did.

Maybe they didn't want the attention, but Animal Adventure has really boosted their following.

[Laffy Kat]

5. Poor April.

You don't have to rub it in!

[Rhiannon12866]

7. Don't pick on the OP

I suggested cross posting this since I knew The Lounge was waiting to see a baby giraffe. And you've got to admit she is as cute as giraffes get...

[Laffy Kat]

8. LOL.

Truly, all baby giraffes are adorable.

[Rhiannon12866]

9. And, as such, we can never have too many!

[Laffy Kat]

10. Absolutely. They are my soul animal.

Plus, there are four different species that do not interbreed. It makes them precious in every way.

[Rhiannon12866]

11. They are so cute - even at a few hours old - that they barely look real

And even grown up giraffes are such remarkable animals...

[Laffy Kat]

12. When I was 15-years-old I was a tour guide at the Memphis Zoo..

We took elementary school children around the park to see all the different animals. During my breaks and free time I'd always spend my time with the giraffes. Everything about them was fascinating to me and I felt such a strong connection, although I don't know why.

[Rhiannon12866]

13. That sounds like a fascinating job!

My first job was as Cinderella at an amusement park, LOL. I can understand the fascination, they are such unusual animals, no other animal is remotely like them. And not only are they beautiful, but it's tough to imagine them as anything but sweet animals. Even in fiction, there is never a mean or evil giraffe...

[eppur_se_muova]

16. Well ... almost never ....

http://i.imgur.com/ezU6q2A.mp4

[Laffy Kat]

18. lol. nt

[Laffy Kat]

17. So true.

You got to be Cinderella? That's like every girl's dream.