THE
WESTCOUNTRY PRICELESS
w w w. t h e w e s t c o u n t r y t i m e s . c o . u k
TIMES
Baby Giraffe doing well at Paignton Zoo Born during the day, which is unusual but not unheard of Giraffes mostly give birth overnight The female calf was born to mother Sangha and father Yoda on the afternoon of Saturday 25th January. Paignton Zoo Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment said: “It was born during the day, which is unusual but not unheard of. Giraffes mostly give birth overnight.” The calf stands at nearly six feet tall.
The gestation period for a giraffe is between 400 and 460 days. The mother gives birth standing up – the fall breaks the umbilical cord. The calf can stand and run within a few hours. Father Yoda came from Givskud Zoo, Denmark, where he was born on 14th November 2004. He arrived
EXCLUSIVES
Prime Minister visits the Westcountry, Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) exclusive, Miss Devon 2014, Agatha Christie, Will.i.am, Muse, Positive living & much, much more in Devon in September 2006. Sangha came from Liberec Zoo in Slovakia. The Zoo’s other female is Janica, who came to Paignton Zoo from Duvr Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic. The other youngsters at the Zoo are Valentino, born to mother Janica on 14th February 2012 and Otilie, who was born to mother
Sangha in September 2012. A male calf was born in August 2013 to mother Janica and father Yoda but died soon afterwards. They are all Rothschild’s (Baringo) giraffes. Rothschild’s giraffes are classified as Endangered – there is a European Endangered species Programme for the species.
Interviews • Exclusives • Local News • TV • Travel • Food & Drink • Family • Positive Living