Two Giraffes Born at Disney's Animal Kingdom in October
Posted by Ashley McChesney on Mon, Oct 19, 2009 @ 02:49 PM
On Oct. 12, Bolo was born to second-time mother Big Girl. A week earlier, Bruehler was born to third-time mother Aibuni. They are both male and already stand at about 6 feet tall and weigh over 125 pounds. They should grow up to be around 15 feet tall. They are the 13th and 14th giraffes born at Animal Kingdom since it opened in 1998.
Disney says the new baby giraffes will be available for viewing by the public in the "coming weeks", so maybe mid November.
The reason for the delay is that the calves need to continue the bonding process with their Mothers who will teach them how to live in the herd they will be introduced to in those few weeks.
Giraffes at Walt Disney World Resort are bred through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Population Management Plan, which is a group of zoos and wildlife parks working together to conserve and breed animals. Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge are accredited by the AZA. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation.
Animal Kingdom's 500 acres holds 1,700 animals of 250 different species, 33 of them endangered and threatened. But that's not the only park in the Disney family taking part in the conservation effort.
Bonus Giraffe Facts
- The typical gestation period for a giraffe is approximately 15 months.
- An adult giraffe's neck alone can measure up to 7-feet, and their tongues can be as long as 18 inches.
- Giraffes also have their own set of unique skin markings, similar to a human fingerprint.
Come see the Baby Giraffes at Disney's Animal Kingdom!
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