Baby giraffes have arrived at Schmiding Zoo in Krenglbach near Wels: the little bull Ayo (“the lucky one”) was born on Thursday. Mother Samira already has experience with babies, Ayo is her number six. “Samira behaves as we are used to from her in an exemplary manner in her role as a mother,” said district manager Daniela Eder in a press release on Friday.
Even if the zoo already has a lot of experience in giving birth to Rothschild giraffes, a successful birth of a giraffe cannot be taken for granted, Eder explained. The lively Ayo already did a little gallop in his first hours of life and that’s how he got his name, reported animal keeper Selina Wiener.
Father Noel sniffed the cub curiously, but then withdrew to give mother and son their exclusive time. They should still enjoy them in the coming days, even if Ayo is gradually brought together with the herd. Visitors can also admire the cute animal child for hours under the supervision of a carer.
However, Ayo will no longer see brother Kiano, whom Samira gave birth to in Schmiding around two years ago. Because Kiano is now a young adult and moved a good two weeks ago to the Magdeburg Zoo as part of the EAZA ex situ program (European Conservation Breeding Program), where he is to take care of more giraffe offspring in the future.