Visitors in awe as baby giraffe born before their eyes at Devon zoo

Hundreds of visitors to a zoo have been able to watch the birth of a giraffe. The Rothschild’s giraffe calf was born to mother Sangha at Paignton Zoo in Devon yesterday – in the middle of a busy half-term afternoon.

A baby giraffe was born to mother Sangha at about 2.30pm in the middle of a busy half term afternoon at Paignton Zoo in Devon. Image by Paignton Zoo Environmental Park/PA Wire

Matthew Webb, senior head keeper of mammals, said: “We let her wander about and find her own place to give birth, rather than separate her off.

“She chose to give birth in the giraffe house, in front of visitors in the gallery and a crowd of excited keepers.”

The new baby giraffe at Paignton Zoo. Image by Paignton Zoo Environmental Park/PA Wire

The gestation period for a giraffe is between 400 and 460 days. The mother gives birth standing up – the fall breaks the umbilical cord. The calf is on its feet within a few hours and can be nearly 6ft (1.8m) tall at birth.

Undated handout photo issued by Paignton Zoo Environmental Park of a Rothschild’s giraffe calf born at Paignton Zoo in Devon Image by Paignton Zoo Environmental Park/PA Wire

Father Yoda came from Givskud Zoo in Denmark in September 2006 while Sangha arrived from Liberec Zoo in the Czech Republic.

Paignton Zoo’s other adult female is Janica, who came from Duvr Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic.

The giraffe was born to mother Sangha at about 2.30pm in the middle of a busy half term afternoon. Image by Paignton Zoo Environmental Park/PA Wire

The herd also includes youngsters Otilie, who was born in September 2012, Joanna, born in January 2014, both to mother Sangha, and Eliska, born to Janica in January this year.

They are all Rothschild’s giraffes, which are classified as an endangered species.

(Press Association)