PhotoBlog - giraffe

By Jonathan Woods, msnbc.com

An Ohio zoo welcomed a baby Masai giraffe this weekend. Mother and daughter are doing well, Toledo Zoo representative Andi Norman told msnbc.com.

Animal care staff are monitoring the two, ensuring they continue to bond before they make their debut to the public, hopefully in about a week.

"Both mother and daughter are doing well, with Elvira exhibiting good maternal behavior and the calf nursing without assistance," Norman said.

As the newborn gets used to her surroundings, zookeepers will begin picking names. Soon, Elvira and her calf will be available for public viewing in the Africa! exhibit.

Masai giraffes are the tallest animals on the planet, standing an average of 16 to 18 feet when fully grown, according to the zoo. Despite their size, they can run at speeds up to 35 mph. They can be identified by their irregularly shaped spots, which are as unique and identifiable as human fingerprints.

Feb

2011

11:27am, EST

Double take: Giraffes migrate by boat in Kenya

By Jonathan Woods, msnbc.com

Eight giraffes in Kenya got a very rare ride to their new home — in a boat, the Associated Press reports.

Endangered Rothschild giraffes are relocated to Ruko Game Conservancy by barge on Wednesday, Feb. 9. This was the first-ever attempt to transport giraffes by water in Kenya. Supported and executed by The Northern Rangelands Trust and Samatian Island Lodge - a luxury camp situated on a private island in Lake Baringo – the project took four years to plan as giraffes are some of the most difficult animals to move.

The endangered Rothschilds giraffes were ferried by barge to a reserve on an island in Kenya's Lake Baringo earlier this week.

Conservation leaders built a small pen on the barge that was covered in plastic sheeting. Only the giraffes' necks could be seen sticking out above the pen as they moved across the lake.

There are four females and four males in the group, and conservation leaders hope they will reproduce, said Elodie Sampere of the Northern Rangelands Trust. If the giraffes thrive, more may be taken to the island.