Belfast Zoo’s new arrival is called Ballyclare.
It’s the second giraffe calf born at the Zoo in the last three months.
Neja the giraffe, became mum for the fourth time when she gave birth to the herd’s newest female Rothschild’s giraffe.
The giraffe calf, named Ballyclare, has arrived just in time for the August Bank Holiday.
Mother and baby are both said to be doing well with the keepers and zoo veterinarian closely watching over the pair to ensure the calf is nursing well and that the mum and baby bond is strong.
Measuring in at 5ft 9 inches, baby Clare already has an older brother Ronan who was born back in May; he was one of the shortest giraffe calves ever born at Belfast Zoo at just 5ft 2 inches.
Ballyclare was able to stand up within an hour of birth.
Senior Keeper, Peter Cross said at the end of May they welcomed Ronan, who is named after Ballyronan in County Londonderry.
‘This time, the team have gone with Ballyclare or ‘Clare’ for short, as it is tradition at Belfast Zoo that any new giraffe calves born are named after towns and villages that begin with Bally,’ he said.
Zoo Manager Alyn Cairns believes the success of the zoo’s giraffe breeding programme is due to the expertise and dedication from his team.
“We work collaboratively with zoos around the world and take part in a European breeding programme. Since we became home to the species in 1988, we have celebrated the arrival of 37 calves and we are delighted to welcome little Clare to the herd.”
The zoo is home to nine Rothschild’s giraffes, one of the nine subspecies of giraffes.
Rothschild’s giraffes are one of the most endangered of the subspecies.