2 Giraffes At Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Are Pregnant!
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) -- Officials at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo confirmed they have not one but two pregnant giraffes! The zoo confirmed the news on their Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon.
The lab surprised us with very quick giraffe pregnancy results! Tune in as Laikipia reveals the results in this live video.
Posted by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Both Muziki and Laikipia bred with Khalid last year -- Muziki on Valentine's Day and Laikipia a few days later.
The zoo announced that Muzkiki was pregnant on the day before Valentine's Day. Unfortunately Laikipia didn't cooperate with the initial blood test, leaving the results up in the air until Wednesday.
Laikipia Blood DrawUPDATE: We were able to get a sample during the filming - results should be available in two days! Laikipia had some other plans for the voluntary blood draw that we attempted last Friday to confirm her pregnancy. As the term "voluntary" implies, she has a choice, and she chose not to participate! So, keepers and vet staff are refreshing her training in the hopes that we can work up to allowing an actual blood sample to be taken soon. Tune in to get a peek at the process. #GiraffeCalf200 #Raceto200
Posted by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Giraffe gestation typically ranges between 14.5 and 15 months, but can be as little as 13 months. Zookeepers believe the due dates will be around April 30.
Whichever calf is born first will have the distinction of being the 200th calf born at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Baby Rae, who was born April 25, 2017 was the 199th giraffe calf born at the zoo since the breeding program began in 1954, officials said.
"There are plans in the works to put a live-streaming "birth cam" inside the building as the due dates get closer, so giraffe fans will be able to monitor the 'Race to 200' in real time," zoo officials announced. They plan to start the live stream in mid-April.