I’m not saying these pictures of newborn Memphis Zoo giraffe with leg casts are the cure for Corona Virus, but I’m also not not saying that.
In these times of constant quarantines, zoom meetings and social distancing we could all use some cheering up.
*Enter Mashamba*
Yep, that’s right there is a new baby giraffe at the Memphis Zoo. Baby girl, Mashamba, was born on Monday, February 8th to mom, Aklili.
Courtney Janney, the area curator, said, “We’re so excited to have this new girl join our giraffe family.” She also told us that, “Both mom and baby seem to be doing great.”
Mashamba has barely lived one day and is already starting fashion trends with her hot pink leg warmers – I mean casts.
Don’t worry, Mashamba is a very healthy baby giraffe, the splints on her legs are temporary and are helping to align her lower leg joints.
It actually is not uncommon for giraffe’s to be born with “crooked” legs, feet or joints. In most cases the joints and limbs realign by themselves following birth, but Mashamba just needed a bit more support to ensure proper growth.
She’s such a diva..I love her.
Mashamba’s first medical check up went well. She is nursing well and is healthy and strong. She is nearly 6-feet tall and 115 pounds.
Mashamba’s name loosely translate to “fields” in Swahili. This name was chosen in honor of Field’s Falcone, a former Zoo associate whose last day was Friday.
With her birth the giraffe herd at the Memphis Zoo now includes nine giraffes. Mashamba is the first newborn of her herd in 2020.
To top off all this exciting news, guests can come see baby Mashamba and her mom, Alkili, in the giraffe exhibit at Memphis Zoo today!
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