You now have a chance to name the new baby giraffe born in Fota

They’re even offering a prize of a year-long Conservation Membership to the winner.

You now have a chance to name the new baby giraffe born in Fota

Fota Wildlife Park is delighted to announce that a baby female giraffe calf was born last week to mother Sapphire and father Tadhg.

The new arrival landed – literally as giraffes give birth while standing up - on Tuesday and will join the 12-strong herd of Rothschild giraffes residing at Fota Wildlife Park.

The calf is now strong enough to join her mother in the giraffe house enclosure, which is visible to the public, for short periods of time.

All she needs is a name!

So the park is calling on members of the public to give the baby giraffe an Irish name.

They’re even offering a prize of a year-long Conservation Membership to the winner.

To enter, just log onto their website - www.fotawildlife.ie and enter your suggestion.

Lead warden of the hoof stock section at Fota Wildlife Park, Aidan Rafferty said: “This young female is a very important addition to our herd and we are delighted that our captive breeding programme run with the European Endangered Species Programme has been such a success as there are fewer than 670 Rothschild giraffes left in the wild. We hope that the birth of this little one will help raise awareness of the plight of giraffes as a species.”

He added: “This young calf is getting stronger and stronger every day and in the coming weeks we hope that she will join the herd on the African Savannah paddock which is also home to Ostrich, Zebra and Scimitar-horned Oryx”.

The baby’s mother, Sapphire is 15-year-old and is originally from Edinburgh Zoo. This is her sixth calf.

more courts articles

Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman
Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt Coronation Street actor William Roache (91) given three months to settle tax debt

More in this section

Smartwatch with health app. Glowing neon icon on brick wall background Health watch: How much health data is healthy? 
Cork's wild salmon warrior Sally Ferns Barnes looks to the future Cork's wild salmon warrior Sally Ferns Barnes looks to the future
(C)2024 Disney. Disneyland Paris – Disneyland Hotel Re-Opening Watch: Iconic Disneyland Paris hotel re-opens after two year renovation
ieParenting Logo
Writers ieParenting

Our team of experts are on hand to offer advice and answer your questions here

Your digital cookbook

ieStyle Live 2021 Logo
ieStyle Live 2021 Logo

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Discover the great outdoors on Ireland's best walking trails

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Lifestyle
Newsletter

The best food, health, entertainment and lifestyle content from the Irish Examiner, direct to your inbox.

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited