While stargazers were searching the skies for the Leonids meteor display last week, zookeepers at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire were observing their own other-worldly spectacle – the birth of a giraffe calf.
After a 15-month gestation period, the female reticulated giraffe calf was born to aptly named mum Luna at 8:50am on Tuesday 18 November, with her devoted keepers monitoring both throughout the birth.
The precious newborn will be named by the conservation zoo’s members, who will vote on a celestial-themed shortlist of names suggested by zookeepers, to celebrate the calf’s arrival during the meteor shower. The chosen name will be revealed on the conservation zoo’s Instagram next week.
Connor Corrigan, team leader of large hoofstock at Whipsnade Zoo, said: “We’re over the moon to have another giraffe calf at Whipsnade Zoo. To be present for the birth is such a privilege, and thankfully, it all went smoothly for Luna. She gave birth in the comfort of her warm, indoor den – which we’d padded with plenty of fresh straw in preparation for the birth.
“The calf is happy, healthy, and very energetic – she was on her feet within an hour of being born, and has already been putting those long legs to use by going for exploratory runs around the indoor den.”
The new arrival brings the conservation zoo’s giraffe herd to five, with the little one joining teenage siblings Myra and Timba, who were both born in the summer of 2024. Every calf is an important boost to the international conservation breeding programme for reticulated giraffes, who are endangered due to illegal hunting, habitat destruction, and conflict with humans in unstable parts of Africa.
With conservation zoos like Whipsnade aiming to create a genetically viable insurance population of giraffes, the baby girl is also a poignant reminder of the important legacy left by dad, Bashu, who sadly passed away in September.
Connor added: “Luna is a phenomenal mother – this is her fifth calf, and she’s very attentive and nurturing. Myra and Timba, being typical youngsters, are very interested in their new sibling, and have been popping their head in to say hello.”
The siblings will be kept separate for now as the new calf build her strength in the warmth of their indoor dens, with zookeepers closely monitoring her before they decide when she’s ready to venture outside and join the herd.
