The new giraffe calf that made his/her debut in front of a world-wide audience is doing well Saturday morning, the Dallas Zoo said.
Katie, a reticulated giraffe, gave birth at the Dallas zoo Friday to a healthy calf who has since been nursing frequently and testing out a new, albeit wobbly set of legs.
The Dallas Zoo veterinary team is set to begin its first well-baby checkup on Sunday morning where the calf's gender will be discovered.
The webcast cameras will be on standby for the calf's checkup which is expected to run from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Sunday morning. A name will be chosen from African-themed recommendations from mother Katie's keepers.
As for the calf's first full day in North Texas, it has been one of nursing, running, playing, and meeting the other giraffe neighbors next to the nursery pen.
Zookeepers said the calf has been nursed often, and Katie is remaining very calf and patient with the newborn. Zookeepers have taken to social media to explain the process, sharing information such as that giraffe nursing's are very short, averaging just 66 seconds.
“We love having this type of platform to share this incredible event,” said Gregg Hudson, Dallas Zoo president and chief executive officer.
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“To be able to share this with so many people around the world is very special. We couldn’t be prouder of our staff and, of course, of Katie!”
The calf’s father is Tebogo, one of the most popular giraffes at the Dallas Zoo. Katie has one previous calf, Jamie, who was born in 2011. Jamie remains with the 13-member Dallas Zoo herd, which roams the award-winning Giants of the Savanna habitat.
The Dallas Zoo is the only zoo in the United States to allow giraffes and elephants to mingle with each other, alongside zebra, impala, guineafowl and other African species.
A reticulated giraffe, Katie is one of approximately 4,700 who remain, down from an estimated 31,000 in 1998, according to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. Through the Species Survival Plan, zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums – including the Dallas Zoo – have built programs dedicated to appropriate breeding for genetic diversity.
Animal Planet will air a one-hour special on Saturday night about the birth and months of preparation that lead to the success.
