SALINE COUNTY- Santa dropped off an early gift at Rolling Hills Zoo on Sunday, with the birth of the first baby giraffe born in the zoo to mother, Zuri, and father BT, according to a media release.

Zuri’s water broke about 4:30 p.m. and she gave birth just before 6 p.m. to a healthy male calf that stands close to six feet tall.

Twenty-two minutes after his birth, the calf made his first attempt to stand. By 7:03 p.m., while still wobbly, he was up on all fours. At 7:14 p.m. the calf took his first steps.

The calf was seen nursing about an hour and a half after birth.
While everything looks good for the new calf, Zoo staff members caution that he is not out of the woods yet. “We will monitor closely the calf and dam via video cameras without constantly going in the building and potentially interrupting the pair. We will continue to monitor and observe the calf’s overall appearance, demeanor and activity. Things can change quickly with newborns, but we are cautiously optimistic given progress and signs thus far,” shared Dr. Danelle Okeson, Rolling Hills Zoo veterinarian.

At this time the giraffe barn is closed for public viewing. The Zoo asks for the public’s patience and understanding while they assess the health and well being of both the mother and calf and allow them to bond.