Greenville Zoo Anxiously Awaiting First Giraffe Birth
October 3, 2012
GREENVILLE, SC – October 3, 2012 – As the Greenville Zoo prepares to welcome its first baby giraffe, visitors to the zoo should not be surprised to see only one giraffe on exhibit. The staff has noted movement in Autumn’s stomach and she is separating herself from Walter more often, even when they are both on exhibit.
Zoo staff has been slowly getting Autumn and Walter accustomed to being apart, because once their calf is born, they will be separated for several weeks. The separation will allow time for mother and calf to bond without interruption and time for the calf to gain the strength to endure the curiosity of his father. Staff will also want to ensure that Autumn is alone so that she can focus on giving birth, without interference from Walter.
“The hope is that Autumn is on exhibit for the birth, which will allow her the space to pace and also a suitable surface for giving birth,” said Jeff Bullock, Zoo Administrator. “Being born on exhibit will give the newborn space to find its legs and hopefully be up and walking soon after being born.” If, however, the calf is born during the night, there are two barn stalls set aside for Autumn that are bedded with playground mulch to ensure a soft surface for the baby’s arrival.
The average gestation for a giraffe is 15 months. The female is standing when she delivers the calf and the baby will be around six-feet-tall and weigh around 150 pounds at birth.
About the Greenville Zoo
Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), Greenville Zoo is rated one of the best tourist attractions in South Carolina, attracting over 270,000 people annually. Operated by the City of Greenville, the 14-acre facility features wildlife from around the world including giraffes, monkeys, giant tortoises and elephants. Visitors can also enjoy one of the zoo’s most popular exhibits, the Reptile Building, which is home to a variety of lizards, frogs, turtles and snakes.
The Greenville Zoo is open seven days a week, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Zoo entry ticket sales will close at 4:15 p.m. Admission to the Greenville Zoo is $7.75 for adults and $4.50 for children (ages 3 to 15). For more information about the Greenville Zoo, visit http://www.greenvillezoo.com/. Follow the zoo on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/greenvillezoo.
