Photo provided of new Dickerson Park Zoo giraffe calf

(From the City of Springfield)

A giraffe was born at Dickerson Park Zoo at approximately 11:40 a.m. The mother, Gidget, is 21 years old; this is her 12th calf. Gidget gave birth in the zoo’s exhibit yard while curious zoo guests and watchful zoo staff observed.

The calf is yet unnamed, pending gender confirmation by the zoo’s animal care team, who will select a name for the calf. A photo album is posted onDickerson Park Zoo’s Facebook page.

Gidget was born at San Diego Zoo Safari Park in August 1992. She has been at Dickerson Park Zoo since fall 1993. This is the fifth calf sired by Peperuka, the zoo’s breeding male. Peperuka came to Dickerson Park Zoo in 2011. A giraffe’s gestation is between 14 and 15 months.

Guests can view Gidget and her calf in the exhibit yard along with giraffes Cheka, Emma and three juveniles (Pammy J, Caley and Mili). Caley is Gidget’s 18-month-old calf (sired by Peperuka), and Emma is Gidget’s 9-year-old daughter (sired by Stretch).

Dickerson Park Zoo is open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through the end of September. The elevated viewing/feeding deck at the giraffe yard is open daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, visit the zoo online at www.dickersonparkzoo.org, or call the zoo’s information hotline, 417-864-1800.