Busch Gardens Tampa received a late Christmas present this year. On December 27th, the park became home to a brand new baby Giraffe. The baby’s mother, Tesa, has given birth to 4 other calves in the park.
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This new addition brings the park’s reticulated giraffe population to 18. The term “reticulated” refers to the giraffe’s net-like pattern of spots.
Mother and baby are currently in an area out of guest view so they can be closely monitored by zoo staff to ensure the baby is nursing and growing properly. The duo will join the other animals on the Serengeti Plain in about three months.
A giraffe’s gestation period is approximately 15 months, and the new baby will nurse for about one year. This birth is part of a successful long-term breeding program at Busch Gardens.
Busch Gardens’ 65-acre Serengeti Plain is a naturalistic habitat featuring a diverse population of free-roaming African animals including giraffe, zebra, white rhinoceros, eland antelope and several other species of hoof stock and birds.
You can view these amazing animals from the Serengeti Express, the Skyride or on a Serengeti Safari, an open-truck tour during which you can hand-feed reticulated giraffes and get up-close with the other animals on the plain.
If you would like to get up close and personal with the Giraffes, you can book an upclose experience that allows you to not only get a better view, but to feed them as well. For more information on Busch Gardens Tampa, including tickets visit the official website.
