Nuka (“little brother”) is supposed to be the name of the strapping giraffe bull that the giraffe lady gave birth to on Saturday night after 15 months of gestation. “As soon as we entered the stall, the 1.70-tall baby was standing on its own legs,” says animal keeper Selina Wiener, “and fortunately we were able to watch it immediately as it greedily swallowed its first breast milk. An important step in the life of a newborn giraffe.” The rough life in the savannah means that baby giraffes can stand up quickly and are fit.
At Schmiding Zoo, everyone was well prepared for the birth of the young animal, so that despite the spectacular birth, Nuka landed softly in the straw from a height of two meters and was not injured. Giraffes give birth while standing. Baby giraffes don’t injure themselves during standing birth because of their soft bones. Even their horns are initially soft and curved inward so as not to interfere with birth.
Nuka is already keeping his mum and the carers busy: He is extremely active and a good ten centimeters taller than his brother Kiano, who was born last summer, when he was born.
Anyone who would like to visit the newcomer right away can do so now. The giraffe house is open to visitors.
Source: Nachrichten
