California

California zoo said a giraffe wasn’t pregnant anymore. Then she gave birth to a baby

A newborn giraffe was born Sunday at the Sacramento Zoo in Land Park. The calf and its mother, Shani, are “healthy and nursing” after the pregnancy, which puzzled zoo officials for several weeks.
A newborn giraffe was born Sunday at the Sacramento Zoo in Land Park. The calf and its mother, Shani, are “healthy and nursing” after the pregnancy, which puzzled zoo officials for several weeks. Sacramento Zoo

It turns out she was pregnant after all.

Shani the Giraffe gave birth to her calf around noon Sunday, the Sacramento Zoo said. The birth comes nearly a month after the zoo released a video saying they didn’t think Shani was pregnant anymore.

Shani, a Masai giraffe, was thought to be due sometime over last summer. When her due date came and went, zoo officials said in the video that they thought it might be another medical condition that gave her the appearance of pregnancy.

However, on Jan. 18, zookeepers noticed signs of an “impending birth” and moved Shani into a maternity stall. On Sunday, she gave birth. The calf has not yet been named.

Sacramento Zoo

“We are thrilled to announce that Shani’s calf is healthy and nursing well from mom,” the zoo said in a social media post.

Shani and her calf will remain secluded for the time being as they bond, but may be occasionally visible to visitors in the habitat’s side yard.

The zoo will announce an official debut at a later date, officials said in a statement.

MJ
Molly Jarone
The Sacramento Bee
Molly Jarone was a reporter for The Sacramento Bee.
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