Zoo keepers are watching over a baby Rothschild's Giraffe born at Paignton Zoo. The new arrival was came into the world at around 6:00 a.m. on September 4 to mother Sangha and father Yoda. The as yet unnamed calf stands at nearly six feet tall. Rothschild Giraffes are one of the most threatened of the nine giraffe sub-species, with fewer than 700 remaining in the wild.

Although the youngster tried valiantly to nurse, its keepers have now taken the baby under their wing to hand-rear because it was not getting enough milk. Parent rearing is always preferable and keepers were hopeful, as this mother has done it before quite successfully — but in this case they ended up having to step in. Luckily, a local dairy, Riverford Organic Dairy, has been able to supply them with the necessary milk.

Photo Credit: Paignton Zoo

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Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment said: “This is the first time we have had the mother give birth in the herd – it means that the youngster is out and about within hours of being born.”

About the herd: Father Yoda came from Givskud Zoo, Denmark, arriving in Devon in September 2006. Sangha, who is six and a half, came from Liberec Zoo in Slovakia. The Zoo’s other female is seven-year-old Janica, who came to Paignton Zoo from Duvr Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic. The other youngsters are Tonda, born in February 2010, and Valentino, born on Valentine’s Day of this year. They are all Rothschild's (Baringo) giraffes.