Maryland Zoo @ Baltimore: The Giraffe's

This past spring, the Maryland Zoo experienced both tremendous joy and tremendous sorrow.  After 20 years without the birth of a Reticulated Giraffe, there were two born!  Willow, a female calf was born to Juma,  Julius, a male cafe was born to Kesi.  The bull Cesar was a proud and very successful father.  However, Julius' birth was difficult and he failed to thrive.  Barely a month after his birth he died, and left behind a conflicted Zoo Staff.  Rejoicing in Willow and mourning Julius.  With Willow, the zoo has a stable herd of 5 Giraffe, and Cesar is again being allowed to breed with one of the three adult females.

Juma and Willow