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Fota Wildlife Park names its baby giraffes

After over 1,000 suggestions in 3 weeks, Fota Wildlife Park has announced names for their two bab...
Newstalk
Newstalk

15.09 18 Apr 2014


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Fota Wildlife Park names its b...

Fota Wildlife Park names its baby giraffes

Newstalk
Newstalk

15.09 18 Apr 2014


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After over 1,000 suggestions in 3 weeks, Fota Wildlife Park has announced names for their two baby giraffes. the newly-named Aideen and Fáda were born back in January.

The names were chosen for their meaning by the wardens at the Park from the hundreds of suggestions that came from families and schools.

Stephen Ryan, head of marketing at Fota Wildlife Park, said "We chose Aideen for the female calf as it means 'little fire' which suits her personality, whilst Fáda was chosen for the male to represent the long neck giraffes have".

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The first born was Aideen on January 25th to mother Bláithín and father Walder - two days later Fáda was born to mother Sapphire and father Tadgh.

The calves have now become the youngest of a herd of Rothschild giraffe, which are one of nine races of giraffe found in Africa.

'Watchtowers of the Serengeti'

The winning names were chosen by Caroline Dalton from Cork - who was the only person to pick Aideen - whilst Fáda was a popular choice with it being suggested 10 times for its meaning.

Gurrane National School Junior Infants were randomly picked and get the prize of a class tour to see the calf up close at the Park.

Giraffes are the tallest land mammal, and are often called the 'watchtowers of the Serengeti', helping to keep track of predators. The Rothschild giraffe is taller than any other sub-species.

The males can grow up to 5.9 metres in height and are capable of attaining weights in excess of 2000 kilogrammes.

The giraffe is a herbivore - eating leaves and buds from trees - and digests its food in a chambered stomach.

Females give birth to a single calf after a gestation of 15 months, and she often gives birth while standing, so that the newborn's first experience is a 6-foot drop.

The giraffes are set to be a big hit this Easter weekend along with a 3-year-old giraffe named Arria, which has just arrived from Dublin Zoo, in a move which saw 1½ year old Casey move in the opposite direction.


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