Fota Wildlife Park celebrates birth of 6ft giraffe

Fota Wildlife Park has announced the birth of a critically endangered female Nubian giraffe calf, born to mother Aoife and father Ferdie.

The calf, standing approximately six feet tall at birth, was born on Monday, June 15, just days before International Giraffe Day on June 21.

The new arrival is Aoife’s second calf, following the birth of Clodagh in 2014. Aoife herself was born at Fota Wildlife Park in 2010, as was her mother, Róisín.

The calf’s father, Ferdie, was born at Royal Burgers’ Zoo in Arnhem, the Netherlands, in 2009, and was transferred to Fota Wildlife Park in 2012 as part of a European ex-situ endangered breeding programme (EEP).

Lead Ranger, Aidan Rafferty, said: “The gestation period for giraffes is nearly 15 months, so the team has been eagerly anticipating this arrival for well over a year.

“Breeding programmes are often complex and unpredictable, and no birth is ever taken for granted. Aoife was incredible throughout. The calf made the typical six-foot drop, landed safely, and was standing on all four feet within the first half hour. Watching those first moments is an incredibly moving experience and a hugely rewarding one for the entire team.”

Fota Wildlife Park is inviting visitors to suggest an Irish name for the new female calf.

Entries can be submitted at a collection point in the Serengeti Shop until July 30, and one lucky winner will receive an annual pass to the park.