Summary:
– The birth of a giraffe calf at Brookfield Zoo is exciting. The calf is the 60th giraffe born at the Zoo since 1940.
– Arnieta, the mother giraffe, had experienced previous difficulties with her pregnancies, but with the help of veterinary and animal care staff, she successfully carried her calf to term.
– The calf is bonding with her mother behind the scenes and will debut publicly in a few weeks.
– Reticulated giraffes, like the ones at Brookfield Zoo, are endangered in the wild, and efforts are being made to protect and conserve the species.
The Brookfield Zoo in Chicago has welcomed a new addition to its giraffe family. Arnieta, a 16-year-old reticulated giraffe, gave birth to a female calf in the early morning hours of August 19. The birth is a momentous occasion for the zoo and giraffe conservation efforts.
For the past 15 months, the animal care staff at Brookfield Zoo has been eagerly anticipating the calf’s arrival. Arnieta’s pregnancy was confirmed in July 2022, and given her previous miscarriages, the veterinary and animal care staff implemented an innovative medical plan to ensure a successful pregnancy. Arnieta was given a daily regimen of liquid synthetic progesterone and prophylactic antibiotics, which helped support her hormonal balance and prevent potential infections. Thankfully, the plan worked, and Arnieta carried her calf to term.
The birth occurred in a separate area behind the scenes, where Arnieta had been moved in preparation for giving birth. After an hour of labor, the approximately 6-foot-tall and 130-pound calf entered the world. She immediately stood up and began nursing from her mother, displaying her instincts and developing a bond with Arnieta.
The birth of this calf is particularly significant for Arnieta, as it is her second successful pregnancy. She previously gave birth to a male calf in 2012. The father of this calf is a 7-year-old giraffe named Ato, who arrived at Brookfield Zoo in 2017. The pairing of Arnieta and Ato was based on a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP), which aims to maintain a genetically diverse and healthy population of giraffes in accredited North American zoos.
Reticulated giraffes, like Arnieta and her calf, are native to northern and northeastern Kenya, with smaller populations in southern Ethiopia and along the southeastern border of Somalia. However, these magnificent creatures are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), with only 16,000 individuals remaining in the wild. The decline of reticulated giraffes can be attributed to various factors, including habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, increased poaching, and political unrest.
Fortunately, efforts are being made to protect and conserve giraffes in the wild and zoo populations. The Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) estimates that the total number of all giraffe species in Africa is around 117,000, a significant decrease from the more than 155,000 in the 1980s. To combat this decline, accredited zoos like Brookfield Zoo are actively participating in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program. Through this program, zoos work together with their partners to educate the public about giraffes, conduct scientific research and fieldwork, raise awareness, and take action to protect and preserve these magnificent creatures.
At Brookfield Zoo, the birth of the giraffe calf is a cause for celebration and an opportunity to expand knowledge and expertise in prenatal care for giraffes. The successful pregnancy of Arnieta, despite her previous complications, showcases the dedication and collaborative efforts of the Zoo’s veterinary and animal care staff. The hope is that the knowledge gained from this experience can be applied to help other species facing similar reproductive challenges have successful births in professional care.
As the calf bonds with her mother in the coming weeks, preparations will be made for her public debut at the Habitat Africa! The Savannah exhibit. Guests will soon have the pleasure of witnessing the playful antics and graceful movements of this new addition to the giraffe herd at Brookfield Zoo.
In conclusion, the birth of a giraffe calf at Brookfield Zoo is an extraordinary event that highlights the importance of conservation efforts for giraffes. The dedication and expertise of the veterinary and animal care staff ensure the well-being and success of the giraffe family. By participating in collaborative programs and initiatives, accredited zoos like Brookfield Zoo are actively contributing to preserving giraffes and their natural habitats. So, the next time you visit the Zoo, make sure to stop by and marvel at the wonder of these majestic creatures.
*****
Source Description
The approximately 15-month wait is over! The Chicago Zoological Society is excited to announce that Arnieta, a 16-year-old reticulated giraffe at Brookfield Zoo, gave birth to a female calf in the early morning hours of August 19. It will be a few weeks before the calf makes her public debut outdoors at Habitat Africa! Savannah, she, and Arnieta are reunited with other members of the giraffe herd. Staff anticipates the two will remain behind the scenes until early September to allow time for maternal bonding. This calf is the 60th giraffe born at the Zoo in 1940 and has had giraffes since it first opened in 1934.
Since mid-July, animal care staff at Brookfield Zoo has been on baby watch. Following an hour of labor, Arnieta gave birth to her approximately 6-foot-tall and approximately 130-pound calf in a behind-the-scenes area, where she had been separated from the rest of the herd in anticipation of her giving birth. Shortly after the birth, the calf stood up and began nursing from her attentive mother.
Arnieta’s pregnancy was confirmed in July 2022. Due to experiencing two miscarriages in 2021 and 2022, the veterinary and animal care staff at the Zoo started the expectant mother on an innovative medical plan based on the understanding her previous losses were related to a lack of hormone production or a possible infection. About a third of the way into her pregnancy, Arnieta received a daily regimen of liquid synthetic progesterone and prophylactic antibiotics. In early June, Arnieta was weaned off the medication to help ensure her pregnancy did not last longer than needed.
“We are so excited to welcome this new addition and look forward to our guests coming out to see her,” said Joan Daniels, senior director of hooved mammal care and conservation for the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo. Due to the dedicated veterinary and animal care staff at Brookfield Zoo and assistance from reproductive experts at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Arnieta could carry her calf to term. We hope the collaborative efforts and knowledge gained in caring for Arnieta during her pregnancy will be useful in helping other species with similar reproductive complications have successful births in professional care.”
A calf is born while the mother is standing up—falling about 5 feet to the ground—and gains footing within an hour after birth. The calf is relatively inactive for the first month or two, mostly standing, looking around, and nursing. This enables its energy to be used for growth, which can be as much as 3 feet in its first six months. When a calf is a year old, it is weaned from its mother and becomes independent between 12 and 16 months of age. Sadly, due to predation, the mortality rate of wild-born giraffe calves is more than 50 percent.
This is Arnieta’s second calf, previously giving birth to a male in 2012. The calf’s sire is 7-year-old Ato, who arrived at Brookfield Zoo in 2017. This is his first offspring. The pairing of the two was based on a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), a cooperative population management program for select species in accredited North American zoos and aquariums. Each plan manages the breeding of a species to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining population that is genetically diverse.
Reticulated giraffes are found across northern and northeastern Kenya and small populations in southern Ethiopia and along the southeastern border of Somalia. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) lists the species as endangered. The Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) estimates that only 16,000 individuals remain in their native habitat. Causes of reticulated giraffes’ decline include habitat loss and fragmentation, increased poaching, and political unrest. (GCF estimates the current total of all giraffe species in Africa to be about 117,000 individuals, a decrease from the more than 155,000 that existed in the 1980s.)
Through AZA’s SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program, accredited zoos, including Brookfield Zoo, and their partners are working collectively to help save giraffes through education, scientific study, fieldwork, public awareness, and action. As efforts continue to ensure a growing giraffe population, Brookfield Zoo is committed to advancing how zoological experts can expand prenatal care for the species.
Visit www.czs.org for more information about Brookfield Zoo.
