"...the arrival of a new calf is a major cause for celebration".

Youngster offers hope for endangered species

The birth of a rare Rothschild's giraffe at Chester Zoo on Boxing Day has been described by keepers as "the best Christmas gift we could ever have wished for".

Rothschild's giraffes are listed as endangered by the IUCN, with fewer than 1,600 individuals remaining in the world.

The new calf, which is yet to be sexed or named, arrived at around 7am to parents Tula and Meru and was up on its feet within minutes.

Sarah Roffe, team manager of giraffes, commented: "Rothschild’s giraffes are highly endangered and so the arrival of a new calf is a major cause for celebration…

"This iconic species is often overlooked in Africa and, sadly, Rothschild’s giraffes are experiencing a silent extinction. They are very much under threat in the wild, so it’s vital that our new calf helps us to throw a spotlight on this amazing species. Hopefully, our not-so-little arrival can generate more awareness of the huge pressures that Rothschild’s giraffes face in the wild."

The subspecies is distinguishable by its broader dividing white lines and lack of spots beneath the knees.

Once wide-ranging in Kenya, Uganda and Sudan, it has been nearly eliminated from much of its former range, making it one of the most endangered subspecies of giraffe and rarer than African elephants or giant pandas. Its main threats are habitat loss and poaching for meat and hides.

Roughly a third of the remaining population resides in zoos, where breeding programmes are creating a safety net population.

The newly born calf is currently spending time with its mother, striking up important early bonds before being introduced to the rest of the herd.