Rare Rothschild Giraffe Gives Birth In Greenwich

GREENWICH, Conn. -- A rare Rothschild giraffe gave birth to a healthy calf at the Lionshare Educational Organization Zoological Conservation Center in Greenwich this past Friday, according to a release.

A rare Rothschild giraffe helps its newborn calf stand less than 30 minutes after its birth at the LEO Zoological Conservation Center in Greenwich.

Photo Credit: LEO Zoological Conservation Center

Six-year-old Rothschild giraffe, Petal, greets its newborn calf at the LEO Zoological Conservation Center in Greenwich.
Photo Credit: *LEO Zoological Conservation Center*

A newborn Rothschild giraffe stands by its mother at the LEO Zoological Conservation Center in Greenwich.
Photo Credit: *LEO Zoological Conservation Center*

by Eric Gendron

03/26/2013 3:00 a.m.

Petal, a 6-year-old Rothschild giraffe, gave birth to a female calf after a relatively short labor and immediately began bonding with it immediately. Several other giraffes in the Center curiously watched the event, the release said.

The calf was standing on its own within 30 minutes of its birth, according to the Center.

Rothschild giraffes native to Africa and are an endangered species. According to the Center, there are fewer than 670 left in the wild.

The calf is the first ever to be born at the facility and is thought to be the first in Connecticut's history.

LEO Zoological Conservation Center is a non-profit refuge for rare, threatened and endangered animals, with a focus on breeding species at risk. The Center currently only allows members and "special cause groups" to visit.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Greenwich and receive free news updates.