Newborn giraffe calf

On a mission to the south of the Hippo Valley area we passed this family of giraffe early on morning. But on the return journey, with the light at a different angle, my eyes caught the unsteady movement of what seemed to be an impossibly small version of these graceful creatures – a newborn calf, still wobbly on its long, spindly legs. Its mother hovered protectively, her tall frame arched over the little one, helping it to step over a branch.

Southern giraffes endure a long gestation of about 15 months, and calves are born in a dramatic way - falling nearly two metres to the ground as they land in the outside world. This calf must have been born only hours earlier, its coat still crinkly, its umbilical cord still wet, and its little ossicones (giraffe ‘horns’) still folded down against its head. The mother positioned herself so that the calf stayed safely between her front legs, an instinctive shield against predators. A little distance away, an older calf, grew restless with curiosity. Step by step, it approached, stretching its neck forward to sniff the newcomer - clearly eager to welcome the tiny addition to the family. Despite their ungainly beginnings, giraffe calves grow quickly, often doubling their height within the first year. Yet survival is precarious; many fall prey to lions, hyenas, or leopards. Mothers have to remain vigilant, often standing guard through the night, always ready to ward off danger with powerful kicks.