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Nov 6, 2009 5:59 pm US/Eastern
Metrozoo's Baby Giraffe Gets Clean Bill of Health
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Kita the giraffe gave birth to her 12th baby Thursday morning. It's the 42nd giraffe calf born at the zoo.
Miami Metrozoo
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Kita gave birth to her 12th baby Thursday morning.
Miami Metrozoo
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Kita gave birth to her 12th baby Thursday morning.
Miami Metrozoo
A neonatal exam is a must for all newborns and it is no exeption for baby giraffes. Just three day after coming into the world, the newest addition to Miami Metrozoo received hers.
The hardest part was separating her from her mother and taking her to the exam all on her own. "It's always a little stressful; mom feels nervous because they are separated from the herd so they could bond and be with the animal," said Metrozoo spokesman Ron Magill.
The baby giraffe was born at 9:34 Tuesday morning. "Kita" is a reticulated giraffe; the girl is her 12th baby. This is the 42nd baby giraffe in Metrozoo's history.
The neonatal exam is part of an extensive preventative medicine program managed by Metrozoo's veterinary sciences department. It's designed to make sure the newborn is healthy. Blood was taken; the general exam was performed and she was weighed. After the exam, the baby will be able to go on exhibit with the rest of the herd.
"She got a good kick start in life. Kita is a great mom and she should be introduced to the heard by this weekend for the public to see," Magill said.
Baby giraffes often weigh more than 150 pounds at birth and stand nearly 6 feet tall. Mothers give birth standing up, meaning baby giraffes often tumble 7 feet to the ground.Giraffe males can be 18 feet tall, while females can reach 15 feet. Giraffe weigh in at up to 4000 pounds for males and 2600 pounds for females.
The new long legged beauty received a clean bill of health - but does not yet have a name! A contest is being; People can submit their ideas for the baby's name by e-mailing
info@zsf.org by Nov. 20. The winning name, picked by the giraffe keeper staff, will be announced on Nov. 30.
CBS4's Kimberley Chapin contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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