The Touching Moment a Baby Giraffe Bonded With His Mother
The calf pranced around as his mama watched.
— -- The Detroit Zoo's newest addition made his debut Wednesday, prancing around his pen and bonding with his mother.
The unnamed reticulated giraffe was born Tuesday to 5-year-old Kivuli following a 15-month gestation, the zoo reported. The father is Jabari, 6.
The male calf took its first steps about an hour after his birth.
Video captured by the zoo Wednesday showed mama and baby bonding and cuddling. Kivuli could be seen standing watch as the calf ran about, growing accustomed to his home. The baby giraffe stood about five feet tall and weighed about 150 pounds, zoo officials said. The calf could eventually grow to a height of 16 to 18 feet tall.
“The calf appears strong and healthy, all legs and very curious,” said Scott Carter, Detroit Zoological Society chief life sciences officer, in a statement. “Kivuli is showing great maternal care; she’s very attentive and affectionate.”