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Date Published: 14/02/2025

MiniHollywood Oasys celebrates historic birth of endangered Rothschild giraffe

The rare Rothschild giraffe calf born at MiniHollywood Oasys in Almería is a breakthrough for conservation

MiniHollywood Oasys, the well-known animal reserve in Tabernas, Almería, is celebrating the unexpected birth of a Rothschild giraffe, a rare and endangered subspecies. The birth marks a significant milestone for the park, which had never before welcomed a large herbivore.

The event took the team completely by surprise. While they had anticipated the calf’s arrival in the coming weeks, the newborn giraffe was found standing strong and healthy as soon as the team arrived at the park early in the morning. This early arrival meant the team sprang into action immediately, ensuring that the calf received the care she needed.

“We are thrilled by this new arrival. It’s a true milestone for us, and we’re closely monitoring her to ensure she’s given the best possible care,” said José María Rodríguez, the park’s director.

The calf’s mother, Khalessi, was brought to MiniHollywood Oasys in 2021 from Denmark. After a 15-month gestation, the calf was born weighing nearly 100kg and standing between 1.80 and 2 metres tall, impressive for such a young animal. These dimensions are essential to help the calf feed properly and integrate well into the park’s breeding group, which consists of one male and two females.

This birth is a significant boost for the conservation of Rothschild giraffes, with only a few hundred of the species remaining in the wild. The calf's birth is a key part of MiniHollywood Oasys’s participation in the Rothschild Giraffe Conservation Programme, coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA), which aims to increase the population of this subspecies.

Rothschild giraffes are easily identified by their distinct, lighter coat and wide-spaced spots. Their unique feature, however, is the five ossicones (horn-like structures) on their heads – two on top, one on the forehead, and two behind the ears. Males can grow up to 6 metres tall, while females reach around 4 metres.

The arrival of this rare and beautiful calf brings a positive, hopeful note to the global conservation community, offering a promising outlook for the future of the Rothschild giraffe. MiniHollywood Oasys continues to play a crucial role in the preservation of this remarkable subspecies, and the young calf will remain under close observation by the park’s experts as she settles into her new environment, inspiring many to take action to protect these magnificent animals.

Image: Molnár Tamás/Pexels

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