![Gulf Breeze Zoo announced the birth of two babies, reticulated giraffe “Gus” and a dromedary camel calf, "Lexington." [CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-7495104f-cb5d-199a-e053-0100007ffe9e-0433744a.jpeg)
GULF BREEZE — Gulf Breeze Zoo, a ZAA accredited facility, is excited to announce the birth of not one but two babies, just in time for the end of summer.
On July 24, reticulated giraffe "Gabby" went into labor just after 3 p.m. inside the giraffe exhibit. Patient zoo guests anxiously watched her deliver a healthy calf, "Gus," two hours later at 5 p.m. General Curator, Jamie McMaster, along with Animal Care Staff had been anticipating the birth for the past fifteen months, the typical gestation period for giraffe. Although Gabby had full access to the privacy of the maternal stall in the giraffe barn she elected to give birth in the exhibit yard.
"Giraffe gave birth standing up, so Gus had a six-foot drop into the world, which may be surprising to some, but that’s the perfect birth if you’re a giraffe," said McMaster.
After the birth, Gabby unfortunately displayed no interest in caring for her new offspring and did not demonstrate any protective instincts even when staff entered the exhibit to examine the calf. Zookeepers must be ready for instances such as this and were prepared to intervene and already had a nursery stall set up and a special milk formula on hand just in case. As with any baby, Gus requires around-the-clock care and feedings.
Less than a week later on July 30, a dromedary camel calf was born. "Lexington" is the first baby to "Ladybug" a six-year-old dromedary camel. While Animal Care Staff were eagerly anticipating Lexington’s birth, they were unsure how Ladybug would do as a first-time mother. Soon after the birth it was clear that animal care staff needed to intervene for the well-being of the new calf and he was moved to the nursery to receive immediate care.
While dromedary camels are still relatively common in the wild, reticulated giraffe are not. Scientists estimate that fewer than 9,000 of this giraffe species remain in their native habitat of East Africa. "With many wild populations in peril, every giraffe birth should be met with great excitement," said McMaster.
Both calves are very healthy and can be viewed daily, weather dependent. "Gus" the giraffe calf can be viewed in the giraffe nursery yard from 11am to 3pm, by the Giraffe exhibit. "Lexington" the dromedary camel calf can be viewed daily in the baby yard.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Meet the new summer zoo babies