Baby Giraffe Dies At Norfolk Zoo

A baby giraffe died on Wednesday at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk.

The male giraffe, who was born on July 28, was found dead in his enclosure on Thursday morning when zoo keepers made their morning check.

Necropsy results showed that the giraffe died from peritonitis, which is an inflammation of the stomach lining. The inflammation is caused by a bacterial or fungal infection.

Zoo officials say the giraffe was alert and responsive on Wednesday and had gained 28 pounds since his birth.

"The baby giraffe's loss is a tragedy," said Greg Bockheim, executive director of the Virginia Zoo. "In his short time here, our staff and visitors had already grown attached to him."

PHOTO/ Virginia Zoo

Many visitors watched the baby's birth, since he was born during public hours. This was the second baby for the giraffe mother, a 9-year-old zoo resident named Imara. Giraffes have a gestational period of 15 months, and the baby endures a 6-foot, headfirst drop when it is born. The deceased baby giraffe was reported to be in excellent health at birth. The zoo planned to open a baby-naming poll to the public.

Source;  http://www.dailypress.com/features/family/dp-fea-giraffe-dead-zoo,0,7324297.story

Virginia Zoo Welcomes New Baby Giraffe

NORFOLK - The Virginia Zoo has announced the long-anticipated birth of one of its newest additions-a 6-foot-tall baby giraffe.

After two hours of labor and a 6-foot headfirst drop, giraffe parents, 10-year-old Billy and 9-year-old Imara, welcomed their new baby into the world yesterday at 4:20 p.m.

Several visitors had the opportunity to watch the entire labor and birth.

"This healthy birth marks an exciting milestone for our giraffe collection," says executive director Greg Bockheim, who adds that this is the second birth for Imara. Her last offspring, Willow, now lives at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida.

"The idea of a six-foot drop sounds scary to people, but it's normal for a giraffe," explains Bockheim. "It helps stimulate breathing to get the baby on its own and since baby giraffe can be 6-feet tall and 150 pounds, the fall doesn't seem so far to them."

Newborn giraffe can stand and walk within 1 hour of birth, and they can start eating leaves at 4 months old.

The new baby has been given a preliminary checkup and appears to be very healthy.

Mom and baby can be viewed by Zoo visitors now.

The zoo will announce a baby naming poll  at a later date.

Source;  http://www.wtkr.com/news/wtkr-virginia-zoo-giraffe-birth,0,1572019.story