Hogle Zoo welcomes a bundle of babies

It's a little early for packages from Santa, but baby animals abound this winter at Hogle Zoo. In addition to baby black-footed penguins hatched in September and twin golden lion tamarins born in mid-November, a baby giraffe was born at Hogle Zoo Nov. 28.

The male giraffe was born to Hogle Zoo giraffes Daphne, 22, and Riley, 4. The baby stands about 6 feet tall, but during his first week of life grew nearly one inch per day.

In addition, baby giraffes weigh about 110 pounds and can rise to their feet and nurse within hours of birth. They can also run before they are 24 hours old.

Though the giraffe baby was anticipated sometime in November, the animal care staff wasn't sure exactly when it would happen.

Giraffe keeper Holly Harrington said, "Earlier in the morning, the mother was pacing around and acting anxious. By about 9:30, we could see today was the day." The whole birth process went very well, said Dr. Erika Travis, Hogle Zoo associate veterinarian. "It took about an hour and a half from start to finish."

"We are very excited about this new baby, as it is the first giraffe born here since 2002," said Kimberly Davidson, assistant director of programs.

"As far as breeding is concerned, all of our giraffes are genetically valuable, and we eventually hope for babies from the others as well," she said. "From the beginning, this baby giraffe was strong, lifting his head up, and just shortly after birth was working to stand."

The giraffes are part of a cooperative program among zoos to maintain genetic diversity within populations of zoo animals, called Population Management Plan. Additionally, the new golden lion tamarins and the penguins are part of a Species Survival Plan.

The twin tamarins, born Nov. 9, are healthy and doing well. As one of the most endangered primates in the world, their preservation in zoos is important to their survival in the wild.

After successful breeding in zoos, this species has been reintroduced into the wild over the past 22 years. The new golden lion tamarins are on exhibit in Hogle Zoo's Primate Forest.