By Canadian Press

It’s a long-necked boy! Calgary Zoo giraffe Emara finally a mother

Oct 2, 2019 | 10:27 AM

CALGARY — A giraffe at the Calgary Zoo who was given hormone help to try to ensure a successful pregnancy is finally a mom.

The zoo has posted on its Facebook page that Emara, an eight-year-old Masai giraffe, gave birth to a male calf on Sunday.

Emara had three previous pregnancies, but two ended in miscarriages and a third produced a calf that died due to birth defects.

The zoo decided that this time around it would give Emara progesterone supplements to try to ensure a successful delivery — a treatment apparently not tried on a giraffe before.

Zookeeper Mona Keith says Emara’s baby boy is a little smaller than expected, so he probably arrived at the early end of the 15-month gestation period.

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Keith says the next few days are critical for the calf.

Mom and baby are hanging out at the zoo’s African Savannah exhibit, where visitors may be able to get a glimpse of them as they begin exploring the world together.

Progesterone supplements are commonly provided to women, as well as domestic animals, with a history of miscarriage.

Emara arrived at the Calgary Zoo in the summer of 2016 from the San Diego Zoo. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2, 2019.

The Canadian Press