On April 15th, Zoo Miami’s newest baby Giraffe made its first appearance, on exhibit, with the rest of the herd!  The baby was born April 8th, to 4½ year old mom, ‘Sabra’. 

Photo Credits: Zoo Miami

The newborn weighed 108 pounds, stood a little over 5 feet tall, and staff determined the baby to be a female during her first neonatal exam. She has been named, ‘Princess Buttercup’.

Though this is Sabra’s first baby, it is the 47^th giraffe born in the history of Zoo Miami. The father’s name was ‘Fezzik’. He was born at the St. Louis Zoo and arrived at Zoo Miami in May of 1998. Unfortunately, Fezzik died in November of last year, due to age related crippling arthritis. Sabra arrived at Zoo Miami from the Blank Park Zoo, in Des Moines, Iowa, in November 2013.

Giraffes have a gestation period of approximately 15 months, and the mother rarely, if ever, lies down while giving birth. The baby falls about 4-6 feet to the floor, where it receives quite an impactful introduction to the world!  

More amazing pics, below the fold!