Seneca Park Zoo’s 6-year-old Masai giraffe, who was diagnosed with cancer over the summer, has given birth to a calf.
In a press release shared on the zoo’swebsiteand Facebook page, officials revealed that Kipenzi gave birth on Tuesday. The gender of the offspring is currently unknown.
“The calf appears to be nursing well, is walking normally, and is energetic. We will perform the full ‘new calf’ evaluation once mom and calf have had some time to bond,” Dr. Chris McKinney, the zoo’s veterinarian, said in the statement.
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In November, the New York zooannounced Kipenzi’s pregnancy, with Dr. McKinney revealing that the giraffe was undergoing ultrasounds and being trained for medical procedures.
Seneca Park Zoo confirmed on Tuesday that the Animals of the Savanna building will be closed “for the next few days so that Kipenzi and her calf may continue to bond.” Additionally, it has another Masai giraffe, called Iggy, who is pregnant and in her delivery window.
Kipenzi’s calf news comes after she was diagnosed with cancer over the summer after a growth on her jaw was discovered, according to apress releasein August. She then underwent a biopsy, whichtested positive for cancer.
“Guests to the Animals of the Savanna habitats are now noticing the change in the shape of Kipenzi’s facial structure,” Lacy said in astatementin November.
The giraffe then received treatment that “stimulates the giraffe’s own immune system to attack the tumor,” according to Dr. McKinney. The zoo revealed that this was the first time the treatment was being used for a giraffe.
source: people.com
