06/22 ~ Greater Vancouver Zoo Giraffe delivers her first baby yesterday
Greater Vancouver Zoo – PRESS RELEASE
Date: June 22nd 2006
For Immediate Release
Greater Vancouver Zoo Giraffe delivers her first baby yesterday
Aldergrove – On Wednesday, June 21st, 2006, the Greater Vancouver Zoo
female Giraffe (Eleah) delivered her first baby to the world.
Eleah is an 18 year old female who was born at a Zoo in Missouri and
has called the Greater Vancouver Zoo home since she was approximately 1
year old in 1989. Her mate Jafari is 5 years old and was born at
the Granby Zoo in Quebec, he arrived at the Greater Vancouver Zoo when
he was 6 months old in late 2001. Eleah has never bred and had a
baby of her own, so this was an extremely exciting time for everyone
involved! She has lived with other males, but never a breeding
male until recently.
“We were prepared for this baby and expected it to happen sometime late
spring/early summer,” said Jamie Dorgan, Animal Care Manager.
Eleah went into active labour very early in the morning of June
21. At 7 am she had the 2 front legs pushed out, and after 4
hours of making very little progress the Zoo’s Veterinarian Dr. Bruce
Burton decided she would need help for the safety of the mom and the
baby. After a successful medical intervention the baby was
cleaned up and examined. After multiple attempts at
reintroduction it was determined that Eleah would not or could not care
for the baby. It was mutually decided through the animal care
team and the veterinarian, that the baby would be bottle fed with
continued attempts at reintroductions with Eleah.
We are still in the very early stages of this baby’s life and the
animal care staff at the Zoo, are doing everything we can for the mom
and baby. Even though they both are doing well, this is still a
very sensitive time for any newborn.
Media Contacts:
Jody Henderson
Marketing & Promotions Manager
Phone: 604.856.6825 x 33
Email: jhenderson@gvzoo.com
Jamie Dorgan
Animal Care Manager
Phone: 604.856.6825 x 32
Email: jdorgan@gvzoo.com
To learn more about the good things we do at the Zoo visit us at: www.gvzoo.com or better yet come visit us in person.