Baby girl giraffe born at the Birmingham Zoo [VIDEO]

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Birmingham Zoo
Baby girl giraffe born at the Birmingham Zoo on April 17th. (Birmingham Zoo)

Cute alert! A female baby giraffe was born at the Birmingham Zoo this week on April 17th at 12:19AM to Ruby and Jalil.

Ruby, a 4-year-old reticulated giraffe is a first-time mom.

Supporting the conservation of giraffes

“We are overjoyed to welcome this beautiful baby giraffe to our Zoo family. Giraffe populations in the wild and declining and the birth of this giraffe is another step in the Zoo’s work to help with the conservation of giraffes.” 

Chris Pfefferkorn, CEO and President, Birmingham Zoo

The pairing of Ruby and Jalil was the result of a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Giraffe Species Survival Plan (SSP), a cooperative management program that ensures healthy, sustainable populations in AZA zoos. 

The last baby giraffe born at the Birmingham Zoo was 10 years ago in 2014.

Come see the baby giraffe in the coming weeks

Birmingham Zoo
Baby girl giraffe born at the Birmingham Zoo on April 17th. (Birmingham Zoo)

According to the zoo, the mom and baby are currently bonding behind the scenes for the next few days, but in the coming weeks, guests visiting the Birmingham Zoo may have the opportunity to catch glimpses of the adorable calf as it explores its new home.  

The baby giraffe will spend time in the giraffe barn, as well as in the yard in the coming weeks.

Are you going to visit the Birmingham Zoo to see the new baby giraffe? Do you have a name picked out? Tell us on social media what you think her name should be by tagging us at @bhamnow

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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