COURTHOUSE- The staff at the Cape May County Park and Zoo are buzzing with baby news as they announce the birth of a female Giraffe, the first born at the facility in twelve years.
Born on Sept. 2, weighing in at an estimated 150 pounds and measuring just under six feet tall, she is healthy and happy and the pride of the Cape May County Park and Zoo staff. Now nearly three weeks old, she has adjusted well and is currently being introduced to the outside enclosure area and the rest of her herd mates. This process takes time and the Zoo Veterinarians, Dr. Hubert Paluch and Dr. Alexander Ernst are giving her daily but limited access to the public viewing area, weather permitting.
The proud parents are the Dam, Joanie, a 7 year-old female who came to the Cape May County Zoo in 2011 from the Bronx Zoo. This is Joanie’s first calf. The Sire, Sterling, a 17 year-old bull arrived at the Cape May County Zoo in 2011, as well. He came from Busch Gardens in Tampa Florida. The calf joins the herd of three female and one male giraffe at the Cape May County Zoo.
The calf will make her formal debut on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 10:00 a.m. at the Savanna area of the Cape May County Zoo. Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton and Freeholder E. Marie Hayes will introduce the new addition to the public at that time. The public is invited to the ceremony. The calf will be spending more time in the viewing area as she becomes more acclimated to her surroundings.
The Cape May County Zoo is located at 707 North Route 9, Cape May Court House. The Cape May County Zoo is open daily; hours are 10 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. during the summer and 10 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. during the winter. The Cape May County Park is open from 10 a.m. until dusk daily.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
