Giraffe giving birth!

Don't some people just have the best jobs in the world? On a game drive in the Masai Mara, Dixon Chelule (or DC as he's popularly known), the Assistant Chief Safari Guide at Mara Intrepids came across this mother giraffe giving birth and shared these pictures.

The calf's hind legs come out first.

As you notice, the giraffe gives birth while standing.

Ain't nature a marvel? No midwives, gloves or theatre needed here!

The calf is born, and mommy giraffe is kissing her and welcoming her to this shocking world!

This is when the calf is most vulnerable from predators, and mommy is all too aware.

Within a few minutes of birth, he can stand and will be trying out his first wobbly steps.

Easy does it..

Another marvel, and beauty of nature – he already knows where food comes from! Mommy giraffe is beside herself with joy! "My son, I shall name you Mrefu. That is Swahili for tall, as you shall be one day!" she seems to be saying.

Fun facts: Giraffe

✓ The  giraffe is the tallest of all land mammals, and can be as high as  5m tall. It uses the long neck to browse the succulent leaves high in the trees.
✓ They inhabit the African  savannas, open grasslands or woodlands,, especially where there are acacia trees.
✓ The gestation period lasts  between 400 and 460 days.
✓ The young of a giraffe is called a calf, and is born almost 1.8m (6ft tall)!!
✓ It can run around within a few hours of being born to get away from potential prey like lions, leopards, hyenas and wild dogs, but normally send s the first two to three weeks hiding in the tall savannah grass.
✓ The giraffe's heart weighs 24 pounds (10.9 kg).
✓ The giraffe has one of the shortest sleep requirements of any mammal, which is between ten minutes and two hours in a 24-hour period, averaging 1.9 hours per day.

You can read more on Mara Intrepids at http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/tented-camps/mara-intrepids/

Book and pay for two nights at this property and get the third free! http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/specials/3-for-2-safari-special/

Admin, Lo'mon LeHeritage 

(Lo'mon is Samburu for news; Le Heritage means from Heritage)