The National Zoo and Aquarium has announced the arrival of a beautiful baby boy, Themba, a not so tiny giraffe.

Baby Themba, which is South African for ‘Faith’ was born already over six foot tall on 17 May. The animals’ keepers were all excited to have the chance to witness the birth as mum Mzungu has previously only given birth at night when the keepers had gone home.

Baby Themba has proven to be leaps and bounds ahead in his development, team leader Amanda Hadley said. He started showing interest in playing with food at only two days old when it usually takes two weeks.

Mum Mzungu showed Themba the run of their enclosure, ensuring he knew all the safe spots and that the electric fences weren’t to be touched.

Like many other mammals, giraffe calves are aware that dad is the big boss and tend to steer clear of him for a while. Now Themba is feeling more confident, the keepers are starting to see more interaction between calf and dad, often catching Shaba standing over his resting baby to protect him from the sun’s rays.

Themba is the fourth calf to be born to Mzungu and Shaba and the pair don’t look like they plan on slowing down anytime soon, with dad already scent checking mum each day to see when she is ready to breed again. Sister Kebibi is still at the zoo spending her time at the Jamala Wildlife Lodge, while siblings Nzuri and Khamisi are venturing to new homes. No decision will be made about Themba’s future until he is closer to one year old, when the genetic specialists will assess his place in the breeding program.

Monday 21 June was also World Giraffe Day, which the Zoo was excited to celebrate with their newest arrival. Giraffe conservation is more important now than ever before with wild populations declining by a staggering 40 per cent over the past 30 years.

Team leader and giraffe lover Ms Hadley encourages people to learn a fact or two about these quirky animals, saying they are often misunderstood and perceived as unintelligent, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

In celebration of the safe arrival of baby Themba, CW has compiled some giraffe birth facts for you:

• Giraffes give birth standing up; the drop from the fall is needed to break the sack that holds the calf and to empty any fluid from their lungs.
• Giraffes are born with ‘hoof slippers’, a rubbery substance that protects the mother’s uterus and birth canal; these generally disintegrate within 10 minutes after being exposed to air.
• Baby giraffes grow quickly, can easily be 5cm taller in a week.
• Giraffes are pregnant for 14-16 months.
• A newborn calf can stand unassisted within half an hour of being born and can run after 10 hours.

To visit baby Themba and the other animals at the National Zoo and Aquarium, tickets are available via nationalzoo.com.au