The baby giraffes have already been seen stretching their legs and “doing big zoomies”, says zookeeper Chad Staples. Photo: Supplied.
Zookeepers at a regional zoo were treated to a special surprise when they found a new face – and then another.
The newcomers, two giraffe calves, are settling into life after being born at Mogo Wildlife Park on the NSW Far South Coast in late December just a few days apart.
Managing director Chad Staples said having the two mums give birth on almost the same day was rare.
“It was a wonderful surprise first thing in the morning,” he said.
Tuli gave birth first, with sister Oni going into labour four days later.
“We knew both females were pregnant, but the pregnancy is 16 months,” Chad said.
“When it comes to locking down a due date, it’s challenging.”
Learn to walk? Check. Meet mum and dad? Check. Find a comfy spot in the dirt? Check! Photo: Mogo Wildlife Park.
Both births were part of the zoo’s breeding program, meaning both calves had the same father.
Once contractions start, labour takes several hours, Chad said.
The calve’s head and front legs emerge first, before “gravity really does start to play a part” in the birth.
“Mum stands up [to give birth] and it’s a big drop. The baby lands with a thump – you can hear it,” Chad said.
After a few licks from mum, the calf stands relatively soon after birth and takes its first steps.
“We just let nature run its course and intervene if we have to. Thankfully we didn’t have to [in either birth],” he said.
The two calves join the multigenerational herd of giraffes at the zoo, bringing the group to 11.
“Everyone around them is confident and calm, so it just generates those sorts of behaviours in the babies, which is fantastic,” he said.
“They’re hitting every milestone, well and truly.”
While their arrivals aren’t a shock to the adult giraffes, who have seen several, Chad said the calves have been putting their mums through their paces.
“It’s the funniest thing when they test their legs and are doing big ‘zoomies’ [around the enclosure],” Chad said.
“They’ve been doing so well – sticking close to mum, but also getting bold and taking walks.”
Also, the public was invited to get involved, with the zoo running an online competition to name the two newcomers.
“Naming animals is incredibly difficult – it’s hard to come up with forever names that everyone’s happy with,” Chad said.
“When you have two turn up at the same time, it doubles the pressure.”
The names will be announced shortly.
Mogo Wildlife Park is at 222 Tomakin Road and is open from 9 am to 4 pm. More information can be found on their website.
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