Watch: the moment a baby giraffe is born at Paignton Zoo

Mother Sangha with her new baby. Credit: Paignton Zoo

This is the moment a giraffe was born at Paignton Zoo in Devon!

Mother Sangha gave birth on Wednesday 19th April, to an as yet unsexed little one.

The footage shows the exact moment the baby giraffe, the Zoo's tenth in seven years, was delivered.

It’s hoped that visitors may be able to see the calf from this coming weekend.

For the keepers, the birth is just the start. The early hours are crucial: the baby must connect with mum, suckle and receive colostrum, the special milk that contains antibodies to protect the new-born against disease.

Keepers haven't yet revealed the sex of the new arrival. Credit: Paignton Zoo

Did you know?

  • The gestation period for a giraffe is between 400 and 460 days

  • The mother gives birth standing up

  • The calf is nearly six feet tall at birth

  • The baby can walk just a few hours after being born

Newborn settles into home at Paignton Zoo. Credit: Paignton Zoo

Since the 2006 fire at Paignton Zoo which killed three giraffes, animal experts have been rebuilding the herd. There's now six in the Devon family and this new arrival is Sangha's third baby.

Little one gets cleaned up. Credit: Paignton Zoo

Northern giraffes are officially endangered; Paignton Zoo is part of the European Endangered species Programme for the animal.