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A new giraffe calf was born Friday at the Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield. The birth is the zoo’s third of the season. KSMU’s Melanie Foehrweiser has details.
The calf’s birth marks a number of firsts for the zoo. Melinda Arnold is the zoo’s public relations and marketing director.
“This is the first time that Dickerson Park Zoo has had three calves born in one season here at the zoo.”
According to a release from the zoo, the birth of this calf also makes the first time in zoo history that three generations will be represented in the giraffe yard. The zoo now has eight giraffes: four adult females, one adult male, two female calves, and the newest member, a male calf. Arnold says that while Dickerson Park Zoo has plenty of room for the giraffes, they might not all be staying.
“Because of the way giraffes are managed as a population across the United States with accredited institutions - that are accredited by the association of zoos and aquariums - very likely at least some of these young calves will move out at some point by the time they’re about a year, year and a half old.”
The zoo could soon be welcoming a fourth calf as well. Arnold says the zoo’s fourth adult female is pregnant, and is expected to give birth in January. All of the giraffes, including the newest calf, are visible to zoo guests.
For KSMU News, I’m Melanie Foehrweiser.