PREVIEW

Two-Week-Old Giraffe Calf Takes First Steps Outside. A two-week-old giraffe calf has been seen enjoying his first steps outside. Mtembei was captured excitedly galloping outside his enclosure for the first time at West Midlands Safari Park much to the pleasure of the other giraffes, who seemed just as interested in their new family member. Mtembei, whose birth on 29 May was captured on CCTV, has been enjoying his first two weeks of life snuggled next to mum Arusha. Mtembei is a Rothschild’s giraffe and his species is part of an EEP (EAZA Ex-situ Programme) which is a collaborative breeding programme between European zoos aiming to conserve endangered species. Giraffes are vulnerable to extinction, due to threats including habitat loss and degradation because of human activities, as well as from poaching for their meat and skin. Mtembei will spend the next few weeks in the giraffe habitat but will be out on the main Safari Drive in the near future where he will encounter the rest of his new neighbours, including white rhinos, Congo buffalo, zebras and antelope.