Summary:
1. Wednesday, the 2-month-old giraffe calf already shows curiosity and Spunk.
2. Keepers stepped in to feed Wednesday when her mother, Bailey, had difficulty nursing.
3. Wednesday is being trained to walk on a scale and learn other important behaviors.
4. The training will help keepers monitor Wednesday’s health and facilitate her movements.
5. Giraffes are fascinating creatures with unique characteristics worth studying.
What’s New with Wednesday: Check-in with 2-month-old Giraffe Calf, and Wednesday is our spunky and curious giraffe calf who is learning new things quickly and already starting training!
Welcome to another update on the adorable and lively giraffe calf, Won Wednesday, and her journey at our zoo. Witnessing the rapid growth and development of these magnificent creatures is truly fascinating, and Wednesday is no exception. At just two months old, she is already showing incredible signs of curiosity and Spunk, capturing the hearts of both keepers and visitors alike.
Recently, Wednesday’s mom, Bailey, had a few off days when she didn’t seem eager to nurse her calf as much. Naturally, our team of dedicated keepers noticed this behavior change and decided to step in to ensure Wednesday was getting the nutrition she needed to thrive. They provided her milk and grain from a bowl, carefully monitoring her intake and overall well-being. Fortunately, Bailey seems to be back to normal and is happily nursing Wednesday again.
The timely intervention of our keepers has allowed us to embark on an exciting training journey with Wednesday. Already weighing in at a remarkable 266 pounds, Wednesday has begun her training sessions in walking on a scale. This might sound like a simple task, but it plays a crucial role in understanding a growing giraffe calf’s development and overall health. By monitoring her weight regularly, we can ensure Wednesday is growing at a healthy rate and address any concerns promptly.
But that’s not all! As Wednesday grows, she will be introduced to various other important behaviors. Our dedicated team of keepers will teach her how to shift spaces and touch her nose to a target, which might seem like fun and games, but these foundational behaviors serve a greater purpose. They will allow us to assess Wednesday’s health more accurately, provide necessary veterinary care, and facilitate her movements within our giraffe spaces.
One of the most exciting aspects of Wednesday’s training journey will be her eventual participation in our hoof care program. This program involves teaching giraffes to lift their feet, enabling us to conduct regular check-ups and maintain healthy hooves. This might not be as glamorous as it sounds, but it’s crucial for the welfare of our giraffes, as it helps prevent any potential hoof-related issues.
Giraffes have always captivated the human imagination, and it’s easy to see why. These gentle giants possess remarkable adaptations and unique characteristics that make them stand out in the animal kingdom. Did you know that giraffes have the Arabian standing up? This amazing feat is made possible by their strong leg muscles and an intricate system of tendons that lock their joints, allowing them to rest without toppling over. Talk about beauty and grace!
Furthermore, giraffes are known for their incredibly long necks, reaching six feet long. Contrary to popular belief, these necks don’t have any extra bones. Instead, giraffes possess seven elongated neck vertebrae, just like humans. However, their extraordinary length allows them to reach for the delectable leaves at the tops of acacia trees, an advantage that other herbivores envy.
It’s also worth noting that giraffes have an astonishingly long tongue, measuring up to 20 inches! This extraordinary appendage is handy when plucking leaves or even picking up objects off the ground. Imagine having such an advantage when it comes to reaching for snacks!
In addition to their unique physical attributes, giraffes have intricate social structures that revolve around communities known as herds. These herds can consist of female giraffes and their offspring and a dominant male known as a bull. Within the herd, giraffes communicate through a series of low-frequency vocalizations that are often inaudible to human ears. These vocalizations establish dominance, locate one another, and communicate alarm signals when danger is near.
As we continue to embark on Wednesday’s training journey, we invite you to join us in celebrating the wonder and diversity of giraffes. These magnificent creatures have captured our hearts for centuries, and by learning more about them, we can play an active role in their conservation and protection.
So, the next time you visit our zoo, don’t forget to swing by Wednesday’s enclosure and witness her Spunk and curiosity. Who knows what new and exciting adventures she’ll embark on as she grows into a majestic adult giraffe? Stay tuned for more updates, and remember, the beauty of nature lies in its incredible diversity, and giraffes are undoubtedly one of its most captivating ambassadors.
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Source Description
Wednesday is our spunky and curious giraffe calf, who is learning new things quickly and already starting training!
When Wednesday was six weeks old, Wednesday’s mom, Bailey, had a few off days where she didn’t want to nurse very much. After observing this, keepers stepped in and fed Wednesday milk and grain from a bowl. Bailey seems back to normal and is nursing on Wednesday again. Because the keepers needed to step in early, they were able to start training Won Wednesday to walk on a scale. Wednesday’s most current weight is 266 pounds.
As she grows and trains, Wednesday will learn how to shift spaces, touch her nose to a target, and eventually participate in our hoof care program. These foundational behaviors will help keepers check Wednesday’s health and move around the giraffe spaces.
