Pregnant giraffe at Singapore Zoo expected to deliver in Jan
A giraffe calf is expected to arrive at the Singapore Zoo in end-January 2019, almost three-and-a-half years after the zoo’s last calf – called Jubilee – was born, said Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) on Wednesday (31 October).
It was in April that keepers noticed 14-year-old giraffe Lucy had a bump.
Vets later confirmed the pregnancy, and the first-time mother has since been responding well to all medical and husbandry procedures. This increases the chances of a successful delivery, said WRS, which manages the zoo.
Prior to the discovery, Lucy’s keepers started “conditioning” her in 2016 to get comfortable with ultrasound procedures in anticipation of an eventual pregnancy. For instance, entering the raceway, a narrow path where ultrasounds take place, and using a shower head smothered with gel as a dummy ultrasound probe.
As Lucy is a “particularly cautious” giraffe, it took nearly three months before she allowed WRS’ herbivore keeper Hikmat Siliwangi to touch her stomach.
“The key was to give Lucy as much time as she needed to get comfortable, coupled with lots of positive reinforcement,” said Hikmat. “Lucy is cooperative with the vets now for ultrasound scans and other medical procedures. I am so proud of our girl.”
As Lucy is now conditioned to physical checks, the animal care team of keepers and vets is able to conduct regular ultrasound scans and monitor the baby’s development, where they spotted the baby’s little hooves.
To ensure the expectant mother receives adequate nutrition, Hikmat and his team allow her round-the-clock access to alfalfa hay, assorted leaves, and browser pellets.
“She is also pampered with a daily dose of green leafy vegetables – she is particularly fond of kang kong – and her food intake and weight are monitored daily,” said the WRS.
Lucy shares her home with two other male giraffes: her mate 14-year-old Marco and three-year-old Jubilee. The latter was the zoo’s first giraffe calf to be born in 28 years when it arrived on 31 August, 2015.
Jubilee is also the firstborn to mom Roni and dad Growie, who both arrived at the zoo in 2005 from Israel and the Netherlands respectively.
Visitors to the zoo can meet Lucy, Marco and Jubilee at 10.45am, 1.50pm and 3.45pm during daily interactive feeding sessions.
More stories:
Man who groped woman on Coleman Bridge jailed 8 months
From runner to brothel operator: Man jailed 16.5 months, fined $53,000
