Scoop: naturally endangered net giraffe born

A net giraffe was born at ZooParc this week. It is the first giraffe ever born at the Overloon Zoo.

The net giraffe occurs on lightly vegetated savannas and grasslands south of the Sahara, including northern Kenya, Somalia and southern Ethiopia. This species is threatened because its habitat is becoming smaller and smaller. This is due in part to deforestation. In addition, the net giraffe is being hunted.

This is why there is a European management program for this species. Zoos thus ensure a healthy reserve population. This includes the birth of the young in ZooParc.

Species Conservation
At ZooParc, therefore, they are very happy with the arrival of the female. "We find it very important to be able to contribute to the preservation of this species. We have had giraffes in the park for 6.5 years now, so it is now very nice that it actually worked out," says zookeeper Koen Peters.

General manager Roel Huibers adds, "The animals in our park are the ambassadors of their peers in Africa. We hope that visitors not only enjoy these beautiful animals, but that, partly through the information we provide, they become more aware of the consequences of human actions on nature and animals."

Four types
There are four species of giraffe, with several subspecies. Besides the net giraffe, there are also the Northern Giraffe, Southern Giraffe and Masai Giraffe.

ZooParc, through Stichting Wildlife, supports the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), the only organization in the world dedicated entirely to the protection, conservation and management of giraffes in the wild throughout Africa.

Exciting
The calf was born on Tuesday, Oct. 31. It is not only the first young in ZooParc, it is also the first time for mother Limber and father Kay to have a young. That is why the past few days have been exciting. Peters: "It always remains to be seen how the mother takes it. But the cub is drinking well and the mother is very protective, so it looks good."

To give the group some more rest, the cub will remain in the stable for a while, together with her mother. If all continues to go well, visitors will be able to take a guided tour of the giraffe stable daily between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. starting Monday, Nov. 6.

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