The Memphis Zoo issued an announcement Thursday that a new baby giraffe had been born on Monday, June 7th. The newcomer was birthed by a giraffe named Wendy, who had been showing signs “for the past couple months that she was ready to give birth,” according to the news release. The baby giraffe is named Milele, which means “forever” in Swahili, “because we have waited forever for her arrival,” said the announcement.
After an initial exam, the zoo’s veterinary staff proclaimed Milele to be healthy and ready to meet the rest of her herd, including her father, Niklas, half-brother, Ja Raffe, and half-sister, Ali. She will be on display in the African Veldt exhibit.
The Memphis Zoo has seen approximately 50 giraffe births in its history, with 11 coming in the last decade. Since the reticulated giraffe is listed as endangered, the conservation and education of this species is vitally important for their continued protection, the zoo said in its announcement.
