Baby giraffe Molly makes her debut at zoo

[mc_squared]

Baby giraffe Molly makes her debut at zoo

 

Last updated at 14:49pm on 29th November 2006

Zoo bosses unveiled their latest addition today - a rare baby giraffe. The Rothschild giraffe, named Molly, was born at Chester Zoo two weeks ago weighing about 150lb.

She took just 30 minutes to walk and is being nurtured by parents Kelly and Thorn, aged six and five.

Mike Jordan, Chester Zoo's curator of mammals and birds, said: "Kelly was a little anxious in her role as a new mum to begin with and we were on standby to intervene and help the calf, but they have now taken to each other.

"Molly is suckling and her mum is being very attentive. We are delighted with her progress.

"The zoo has a good track record when it comes to breeding giraffes and we are delighted to welcome another to the fold."

There are an estimated 600 Rothschild giraffes left in the wild, in Kenya and Uganda. Molly is the first to be born at Chester Zoo.