Keepers take over baby giraffe's feeding
PAIGNTON Zoo's newest arrival is doing well despite feeding problems.
The female giraffe which is just a week old is now being fed by keepers as her mother would not let her suckle.
She was the first giraffe calf to be born in the herd but had to be separated from the herd on Friday so keepers could make sure she was getting enough food.
The last baby giraffe, Valentino, was born at the zoo in February.
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Matthew Webb, senior head keeper of mammals, said: "She is now feeding very well from keepers and is on four feeds a day, consuming up to eight litres a day.
"This will increase slightly as she gets bigger, up to a maximum of around 10 or 12 litres a day.
"We will need up to 10 or 12 litres a day for the new girl and eight for Valentino.
"We will start to wean him off milk in the next week or two, so the amount will drop back down to around 12 litres a day again over the next four to six weeks."
Zoo staff have yet to decide how to go about naming the youngster.
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