OKLAHOMA CITY — A newborn giraffe is getting his first taste of the great outdoors.
In a pair of Facebook posts Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden shared photos and a video of its newest giraffe calf, born last week to mother Ellie and first-time father Demetri, enjoying his outdoor habitat for the first time.
“Baby’s first day outside!” read the post. “Ellie’s little one explored his habitat this morning, encountering new sights, smells and neighbors. Weather permitting, mom and baby will be exploring the habitat for a few hours each day.”
Baby’s first day outside! Ellie’s little one explored his habitat this morning, encountering new sights, smells and...
Posted by Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden on Tuesday, June 8, 2021
A second post included a heartwarming video of Ellie nuzzling and licking the baby.
What a great mom! Enjoy this video of Ellie loving on her precious baby giraffe 💛🦒
Posted by Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden on Tuesday, June 8, 2021
According to KOCO-TV, the 6-foot-1, 157-pound male calf, who remains unnamed, arrived shortly after noon Thursday in the habitat barn.
“He will continue to spend time bonding with his mother and herd mates behind the scenes,” the zoo wrote on social media the next day.
The newborn soon will have a younger playmate, the zoo added.
“Ellie’s daughter, Julu, 5, is also pregnant and expected to deliver her first calf soon,” the post continued. “It’s been neck and neck between this mother-daughter giraffe duo to see who would give birth first, and Ellie delivered!”
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