IT'S A(nother) BOY!! Second Giraffe Calf in Three Months Arrived July 24
Mtembei Born May 5, 2007
photo/Victoria Arocho
photo/Jennifer Warmbold
photo/Victoria Arocho
photo/Victoria Arocho
We're thrilled to announce the arrival of the second giraffe calf in the last three months at Roger Williams Park Zoo!
The calf, a male, was born at approximately 7 p.m. on July 24. Both the calf and his mother, "Amber," appear to be in good health and are bonding well. Zookeepers have yet to select a name for this latest addition to the zoo's giraffe herd.
The zoo's first giraffe birth of the season occurred on May 5 when Sukari, the zoo’s other female giraffe, delivered a calf at 4:23 p.m. as zoo visitors looked on.
That calf, named "Mtembei" in a public naming contest, was the first male giraffe ever to be born at Roger Williams Park Zoo. Mtembei (pronounced mutembay) is Swahili for "one who roams."
Both calves were fathered by the zoo's only adult male giraffe, "Griffin." Currently there are less than 80 Masai giraffes in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in North America.
Have problems viewing? You may need to download the free Quicktime player. (Click here to access the Quicktime web site.) Video compliments of Jenny Blackmer, RWPZoo
Watch the quick video below of Amber's calf's first day on exhibit and "playful" experience with Mtembei.
