Keepers have named the new arrival 'Kris', and he's the second baby giraffe to be born there in seven weeks. 

Incredible CCTV footage captures moment giraffe calf is born

Belfast Zoo

Proud mum, Casey, laboured for two hours and gave birth naturally at 2.30pm, inside the giraffe house, which was closed to the public to provide privacy for bonding. Zookeepers report that the male calf is doing well and that Casey is doing a great job. Casey is a second time mum, after giving birth to Ballyronan in May 2020.

Belfast Zoo traditionally names giraffes after places beginning with “Bally”. The male Rothschild’s giraffe calf is named Ballyhenry, a townland in County Antrim, which was chosen by Curator Raymond Robinson.

New-born giraffes usually weigh around 100kg and are around 5 feet 9 inches tall, but little Henry measures 5 feet 7inches. Rothschild’s giraffes are one of the most endangered giraffe subspecies. Estimates suggest that only around 2,000 remain in the wild, due to illegal hunting for meat and hide and a continuing loss of habitat.

Sustained conservation action has helped the general giraffe population move from ‘endangered’ status to ‘near threatened’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, but the Rothschild’s giraffe subspecies remains endangered.

Alyn Cairns, Zoo Manager, said “We’re delighted to welcome little Henry to the herd at Belfast Zoo. We first welcomed Rothschild’s giraffes in 1988 and have since celebrated the birth of 39 calves. We’re proud to participate in a European breeding programme and collaborate with zoos around the world. Our breeding success helps to ensure that that there is a ‘safety net’ population of this endangered subspecies.”

Visitors can see the new calf and its herd at the giraffe house or outside in the giraffe paddock at Belfast Zoo daily from 10am until 6pm (last entry is currently 4.30pm).

The calf - who was born on Sunday afternoon - is a Rothschild's giraffe, one of the most endangered distinct populations of giraffe.

Say hello to Belfast Zoo's baby giraffe 'handsome Henry'

Matilda was the first giraffe born at Marwell Zoo entirely of Rothschild’s parentage, a subspecies of the animal. She was 25 years old and birthed seven calves.

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Visitors will be able to see the calf, who has not been named yet, from today

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Two rare white giraffes have been found dead in Kenya, after being targeted by poachers, conservationists have said.

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Dayo the giraffe is already an impressive 12ft tall but has plenty more growing to do before he is full sized.

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Emma, Viscountess Weymouth, and her Strictly Come Dancing partner Aljaž Škorjanec took a tour of Longleat Safari Park.


Strictly stars take a trip to safari park

It is not clear whether one strike killed the pair of giraffes however it is thought they both died instantly.

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Karamoja, who is two weeks old, is already more than 6ft tall and weighs around 80 kilos. 

Endangered baby giraffe explores her new home

Friends are being made at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in Bristol as Gus the giraffe and Zebedee the Zebra get to know each other.

Gus and Zebedee make an unlikely friendship

Keepers at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in Somerset have captured the birth of their latest baby on camera - a giraffe calf called Gus

Zoo celebrates the birth of Gus the giraffe

Paignton Zoo has welcomed a baby giraffe! Mother Sangha gave birth on Wednesday morning. 

Watch: the moment a baby giraffe is born at Paignton Zoo

Millions around the world watched the birth on a "giraffe cam" and a competition will now be held to decide on a name for the new arrival.

World's most famous giraffe April gives birth to calf

The six-feet-tall youngster, which is yet to be sexed or named, arrived to first time mum Tula and dad Meru at around 7am.

Rare giraffe born on Boxing Day at Chester Zoo

Giraffes could disappear from the planet if current rates of extinction continue, it has been warned.


Giraffe

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