Chester Zoo More news at Chester

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Writhedhornbill

Writhedhornbill

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Another 'News at Chester' thread:

Just been on Chester zoo's new website, and I've found this:

We are very sorry to advise visitors and potential visitors that the Giraffe House is closed at the moment. On Monday we were delighted when one of our female Giraffes, Kelly, gave birth to a healthy calf. Since then, unfortunately, Kelly has struggled to feed her calf and we are concerned for the welfare of both Kelly and the baby. For that reason, we are keeping the herd indoors and in a calm environment, to give Kelly and her calf the best possible chance to start the normal nurturing process. As the giraffes are a close-knit herd, it would distress Kelly if the other giraffes were allowed onto the paddock whilst she was kept indoors.

We recognise that the giraffes are a popular species at the Zoo and there may be disappointment that they are not on show. But we are sure you will understand that our priority has to be the well-being of the animals particularly with such a young baby in the herd, who needs to be given the best possible chance of survival.

Rest assured that our Keepers and Vets are doing everything possible to help Kelly and her calf and we hope that in the near future, the house will be open as usual and the Giraffes will be able to enjoy being outdoors.

We will update the website with further news as and when we have it.
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This explains why the giraffe house was closed for Jimmy on Monday.

What was Margaret's mother called?

Also, there has been a baby penguin at Chester, Aero, whose parents are Warty and Hislop. This is great news, but it as Chester does this regularly I am quite surprised that it has been put on the site, Although I think it is the
first of the season...
 
Well the giraffe house was open today.

Margaret looked very well and was out in the paddock with the rest of the herd.

The new baby was inside right at the back of the bed area, just about see the baby, tho it was gloomy and she/he was right against the back wall curled up asleep !
 
RockHopper said:
Well the giraffe house was open today.

Margaret looked very well and was out in the paddock with the rest of the herd.

The new baby was inside right at the back of the bed area, just about see the baby, tho it was gloomy and she/he was right against the back wall curled up asleep !
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I would of thought it was margaret would of been indoors still, are you sure you havn't got it the wrong way round?
 
taun said:
I would of thought it was margaret would of been indoors still, are you sure you havn't got it the wrong way round?
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For those of us who are not so in the know on Chester's giraffes .... Who is Margaret? Is not Kelly supposed to be the mother of the newborn calf?
Can you give the names and dates of birth of the giraffe group members?

Rothschildt's giraffe
1.3+1

M ?
F Kelly
F ?
F ?
calf ? (b. 31/3/2008)

hybrid giraffe
...
?

Finally, welfarewise any news whether the calf has now pulled through the difficult period? :confused:
 
Isn't the male called Thorn?

Other giraffes at Chester are:

Pure:

F Fey
F Kelly
F Margaret (Born premature and could not reach to Suckle, so is being hand reared)

And then there is the Hybrid female...
 
Writhedhornbill said:
Isn't the male called Thorn?
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That is correct

Writhedhornbill said:
Other giraffes at Chester are:

Pure:

F Fey
F Kelly
F Margaret (Born premature and could not reach to Suckle, so is being hand reared)

And then there is the Hybrid female...
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The other female is called samaras (Not sure on spelling) she is a hybrid and is a very good mother, and is therefore staying for the time being to show the pure breds how to raise there calfs. Faye baby Margaret was her first, and a belive this is Kellys second calf, so they are both inexperienced.
 
Am also hoping that the news that the giraffe are out and about means that the new baby is healthy and feeding well from mum
 
taun said:
I would of thought it was margaret would of been indoors still, are you sure you havn't got it the wrong way round?
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Yes, I think perhaps so too... as Margaret is being handraised she would not be 'connected' with the group (perhaps even being segregated for her safety?). It sounds like this was the newer calf with the group- unless it is being handraised too- in that case its more likely this younger one would have been inside- if you get my drift...:confused:

Anyone got news on its sex and whether the mother bonded with it or not?
 
Pertinax said:
Anyone got news on its sex and whether the mother bonded with it or not?
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The question of what sex the baby is, popped into my head just after posting :rolleyes: I dont think it has been mentioned anywhere :confused:

I gather if its out and about with the herd they would be quietly confident that the mother and calf had bonded and where doing well before letting them out.
 
Margaret was out with the rest of the herd last week before the new baby was born.

I thought the head of reptiles was Isolde McGeorge - that's the impression I got from Zoo Days anyway
 
Yes isolde is the head of Reptiles, but the new curator is taking Kevin Buley's position, as curator of Lower vertebrates. This means that he will take charge of Reptiles, Amphibians, and I presume he will work with fish and Invertebrates too....
 
Pygathrix said:
Margaret was out with the rest of the herd last week before the new baby was born.

So does that mean the new baby has been rejected by its mother and was therefore alone indoors. Or do Giraffes leave their very small young 'hidden' from view like deer and antelope(and cows)..?- horses or zebras don't do this.
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