Named Pietruszka (Parsley), the newborn giraffe measured about 175 cm in height and weighed 49 kg at birth.
Unfortunately, Pietruszka was rejected by her mother, Justyna, prompting zookeepers to step in and provide round-the-clock care.
"After the birth, the caregivers noticed that the fetlock joints of the hind legs were unnaturally twisted," a Warsaw Zoo representative said.
"Moreover, Justyna did not undertake to feed the newborn and ultimately did not care for her child. In the wild, a rejected giraffe would be doomed to death. The decision was made to separate the daughter from the mother and necessitate artificial rearing. Thus, our wonderful caregivers have been substituting as Pietruszka's mother since her birth. It is under their watchful eye that Pietruszka is growing up."
This critical intervention has helped Pietruszka thrive despite the rough start.
Zoo officials announced her birth after waiting over four weeks to ensure her health was stable.
"Pietruszka is very cheerful and already moves so briskly that it's sometimes hard to keep up with her," a zookeeper shared, emphasizing her spirited and inquisitive nature.
Pietruszka's naming follows a unique theme at the Warsaw Zoo this year, where all animal names born in the giraffe pavilion start with the letter P. This theme was inspired by another newborn, a bongo antelope named Porzeczka (Cassis).
Pietruszka's name was chosen due to the tufts on her ossicones — a giraffe's horn-like structures — that resembled the herb's leaves.
Rothschild giraffes, like Pietruszka, are distinct from other giraffe subspecies. They have the same number of cervical vertebrae as most mammals, seven, but these are much longer.
Their blue-violet tongues, about 45-50 cm long, are adapted to eat leaves from thorny branches, showcasing the species' unique adaptations.
The Rothschild giraffe's numbers have dwindled alarmingly in the wild, with less than 2,000 individuals remaining. This makes every birth crucial for conservation efforts.
Pietruszka is expected to reach over four meters in height as she matures, contributing to the genetic diversity of her species in captivity.
Visitors to the Warsaw Zoo can soon expect to see Pietruszka on exhibit, where she is likely to charm guests with her curious and joyful demeanor.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP
