Keepers are pleased with the progress of a new giraffe calf whp was born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo earlier this month.
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The calf has been named Layla by her keepers, meaning born overnight in Swahili.
Layla is the fifth calf for mother Asmara and was sired by Unami.
Giraffe Keeper Jack Foley said she is doing very well, is a very confident calf and already following the herd around rather than sitting in a secluded area of the paddock like most newborns.
"Giraffe calves are like any other newborn, active for a period of time and then resting. The best time to see Layla is in the mornings when she is generally more active," Mr Foley said.
"Visitors over the school holiday period were very lucky as she was out on exhibit with the herd from one day old, so lots of people saw her in those first couple of weeks as she was finding her feet."
For those wishing to see Layla i nperson the best time to visit is in the mornings when she is generally more active.
ALSO MAKING NEWS:
Dubbo Zoo now has 11 giraffes in the main breeding herd and another seven in the bachelor herd on the African Savannah.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo has a successful history breeding giraffe and has become the region's breeding powerhouse for the species.
The Zoo often transfers giraffe to other Zoos throughout Australia. Recently a mother and calf were transferred to Taronga Zoo, Sydney and three males were transferred to the African Savannah exhibit in Dubbo to join the bachelor herd.
The gestation period for a giraffe is 14-16 months.
Giraffe numbers have been declining in the wild over the past decade with the global population falling up to 40 per cent in the last 30 years as a result of poaching for bush meat and habitat encroachment.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo is open every day from 9am - 5pm (last entry at 4pm).
For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.taronga.org.au.