Naturally endangered Nubian giraffe born in Safaripark Beekse Bergen

Hilvarenbeek, Jan. 31, 2022 - A Nubian giraffe has been born in Safaripark Beekse Bergen. The male belongs to one of the most endangered subspecies of giraffe.

The Nubian giraffe is found on savannahs in Africa. This species is threatened because their habitat is becoming smaller and smaller. This is partly due to deforestation. In addition, the Nubian giraffe is being hunted.

There is therefore a European management program for this giraffe species. Zoos thus ensure a healthy reserve population. This includes the birth of the male in Safaripark Beekse Bergen.

Species conservation
"We are happy to contribute in this way to the conservation of this species," says zookeeper Rolf Veenhuizen. "Animals with us are ambassadors of their kind. We hope that by seeing these beautiful animals, and the information we give them, visitors will become more aware of the effects of human actions on nature and animals."

Safaripark Beekse Bergen, through Stichting Wildlife, supports the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), the only organization in the world focused entirely on the protection, conservation and management of giraffes in the wild throughout Africa.

Four types
There are four species of giraffe, with several subspecies. One species is the Net giraffe, which lives at the Safari Resort. In addition, two subspecies of the Northern Giraffe can also be seen at Beekse Bergen: the Kordofangiraffe and the Nubian giraffe.

The calf was born on Jan. 18. The first few days were exciting for the caregivers. Veenhuizen: "He is mother Nova's first child and with a first cub it always takes some time to see how they pick it up. He also had bowel problems. Fortunately, everything is going well now and he is a healthy little man who is growing considerably."

M'toto
The cub was given the name M'toto, which means "little child" in Swahilli. "So we may have to rename him in a few years, when he is an adult," laughs Veenhuizen.

Because of the cold weather, the cub will stay in the barn for a while, along with its mother and some other members of the group. Visitors can take a look between 2 and 3 o'clock.

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