— Two Moms Could Be in a Race to Produce Giraffe Calf #200 –
Colorado Springs, CO – “Romance” that was in the air a year ago on Valentine’s Day is producing some excitement at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo! Baby Rae, who was born April 25, 2017 was the 199th giraffe calf born since our breeding program began in 1954. There is now a possibility that this spring will produce calf #200….AND #201!
Two of our female giraffe bred with our bull, Khalid (kuh-LEED’), this time last year – Muziki (moo-ZEE’-kee) on Valentine’s Day, and Laikipia (luh-KEE’-pee-uh) shortly thereafter. Muziki has been confirmed pregnant, and a second voluntary blood draw to confirm Laikipia’s pregnancy will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday. Media are welcome to cover the blood draw. We will be able to confidently announce the results of the second hormone test a few days following the next successful blood draw. If Friday’s attempt is unsuccessful, we will try again soon. We will share the results with the media and on social media as soon as we know. An initial blood draw from Laikipia in June 2017 showed tentative results that she was likely pregnant.
Muziki’s due date would be around April 30, 2018. If Laikipia is confirmed pregnant, she would be due around the same time.
Since the next giraffe calf born here at the Zoo will be our 200th successful giraffe birth in our history, it will be a race to see which mom will give us baby #200!
Giraffe gestation isn’t an exact science. It typically ranges between 14.5 and 15 months, but can be as little as 13 months. Because of these variations, either mom could give birth first. There are plans in the works to put a live-streaming “birth cam” inside the building as the due dates get closer, so giraffe fans will be able to monitor the “Race to 200” in real time. We also have plans to make mom (or moms) easily identifiable with markings that are easy for our guests to see. Stay tuned to our e-newsletter and social media for more giraffe baby news to come!
About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s ONLY mountain zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s hope that guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Of the 233 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just ten operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues and donations for funding.