This has to be the cutest news I’ve heard all week! The Toronto Zoo recently announced (and on World Giraffe Day) that their 5-year old giraffe, Mstari, is expecting her first calf!

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/By98WtsAMLJ/

 

According to The Toronto Zoo’s post on Facebook, it reads, “Mstari is expecting her first calf! Mstari is five months into her 15-month-long pregnancy, just past the first trimester.”  The Facebook  page also states, “The Zoo is excited that Mstari has reached the five-month milestone, but there are still ten months before the calf is expected to arrive, and it will be some time before Mstari starts “showing.” Since this will be Mstari’s first calf, Wildlife Care Keepers are preparing for a higher risk pregnancy, birth, and neonatal period, since (as with all first-time moms) it is unknown how Mstari will react to the arrival of the baby. In addition, just as with human parents, keepers are getting ready to baby or ‘calf’-proof the giraffe habitat, researching the best substrates for birthing and ensuring safe spaces for a baby giraffe.”

 

And if you’re curious to know how you could tell when a giraffe is pregnant, watch the video below.

 

 

According to Eric Cole, who is the acting director of wildlife and welfare at the zoo, he states, “This pregnancy is an important contribution to a genetically healthy Masai giraffe population.  Masai giraffes are under increasing pressure due to habitat loss and illegal hunting. It is important to educate the public on their plight in the wild and do everything we can to prevent the threats they face and halt declining populations.”

 

Aww – congrats are in order!

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/By5xCm0g6_E/

Filed under: toronto, toronto-zoo, Wildlife