Lee Richardson Zoo announces birth of giraffe this week
Garden City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–The Lee Richardson Zoo received a gift a day after Christmas.
According to the zoo, the birth of a reticulated giraffe Monday morning at around 11:15. This is the third calf for mom, Cleo, age 9, and dad, Juani, age 13. Zoo staff performed a well-baby check on Wednesday, after giving mom and baby some time to bond. Mom and baby are doing well.
Zoo staff had been monitoring Cleo closely for the last week. The zoo keepers found Cleo in the early stages of giving birth during a morning check on Monday. The male calf weighed 185 pounds and was nursing within the next few hours after birth.
Public viewing inside the giraffe barn may be limited to allow mom and calf privacy. The dad, Juani will remain separated from the mother and baby until the newborn is a bit older and steadier on its feet.
The public will have a chance to help select the calf’s name next week.
For more information, contact Zoo Director Kristi Newland or Deputy Director Joe Knobbe at 620-276-1250.
