CLEVELAND, Ga. — The North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park in Cleveland, Ga., has welcomed its first giraffe, a three-month-old male named Joshua.
NOGAWILD said he was born on July 22 and stands more than seven feet tall. He is receiving hand-raised care from animal care staff at the park.
The arrival marks the fulfillment of a seven-year goal for Director Hope Bennett to bring giraffes to the North Georgia facility, the organization said.
Preliminary veterinary checks indicate that Joshua is healthy, thriving and exceeding expectations following his recent arrival.
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Preparing to house giraffes involved working through a series of lengthy regulatory and infrastructure hurdles to ensure proper animal welfare could be ensured.
Park officials secured the necessary licenses and required permits while constructing a climate-controlled giraffe barn with an adequate ceiling height.
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Giraffes can reach heights as tall as 16 and 20 feet live between 20 to 25 years under professional human care.
Fulfilling their housing standards requires providing sufficient indoor and outdoor space, large quantities of appropriate browse and hay, specialized nutrition and a dedicated team of experienced animal care professionals.
Joshua’s arrival was tied directly to the circumstances surrounding his birth, NOGAWILD said.
Newborn calves sometimes require extra help and human assistance to thrive due to health complications, such as nursing difficulties, insufficient milk production or underlying health concerns.
With extensive experience in bottle-feeding animals, NOGAWILD was included on a list of facilities willing and prepared to provide a home for baby giraffes that need to be hand-raised.
Bennett said her first reaction when she got the phone call asking if the facility would accept a young, bottle-fed calf was “Yes!”
While a full launch of the park’s Giraffe Experience won’t be ready for a long time still, guests can meet Joshua through a Private VIP Experience, according to the organization.
These private encounters are available by request only, require a phone call to book and offer limited spots for visitors.
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