African Lion Safari unveils test-tube giraffe

African Lion Safari introduced its baby giraffe today. And she’s not only adorable, but groundbreaking.

Safari as she’s called, is the first giraffe in Canada born through artificial insemination. Giraffe supervisor Jason Pootoolal says she was nine years in the making. “I think she must know how important she is to all of us and what a princess she is here because she’s definitely got the attitude to go along with it.”

Researchers at African Lion Safari spent nearly a decade testing ultrasound techniques and training Safari’s mother for artificial insemination. Once it took, they had to wait through a lengthy gestation period before she was born on December 31st.

“Having to wait like 470 days for her to be born, it was just such a huge thrill. When she was actually born and not only that, we saw that she was healthy and just the perfect little giraffe.”

The giraffes in Safari’s herd don’t treat her any differently, but her handlers know how special she is. This is only the second giraffe in the world born by artificial insemination. The other one was born over a decade ago in the U.S. Using what they’ve learned during Safari’s conception, researchers at African Lion Safari hope to help regenerate the dwindling giraffe population.

Safari is a Rothschild giraffe, an endangered subspecies with just over 1000 animals left in the wild.

“If we’re able to find ways that we can just send reproductive material across the world, we’re going to be able to better conserve the genetics of this animal for future generations.”

Genetic diversity is crucial in repopulating a species, and artificial insemination makes that much easier. While Safari may be the first step in preserving a dying breed, for now, her handlers want her to simply enjoy being a giraffe.

“The research and the conservation is kind of the cherry on the cake. It’s all also just about their daily health and their mental well being.”

Safari is on display with her fellow giraffes and other animals at African Lion Safari. She’s had a bit more human contact than the rest of the herd because of her special circumstances, so if you visit her, don’t be surprised if she poses for a few photos.