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Baby giraffes add more attraction to Sir Bani Yas

The two calves will be nursed for at least one year and will stay with their mothers for up to two years.

Abu Dhabi - The wildlife island reserve in the national capital, Sir Bani Yas, recently welcomed two giraffe calves bringing the total number of reticulated giraffes - also called Somali giraffes - to 37.
The two calves - a female and a male - were born after a gestation period of 15 months. The babies will be nursed for at least one year and will stay with their mothers for up to two years.
"We are pleased to welcome these latest additions to our wildlife family. The healthy calves are a result of our breeding and monitoring programmes that ensure the Island as a haven for diverse wildlife population," said Marius Prinsloo, general manager of Sir Bani Yas Corporate Operations.
"Since the breeding programme?s inception on Sir Bani Yas, the Island has successfully contributed reticulated giraffes to various reserves and private institutions across the UAE. This contribution offered a great range of opportunities to raise awareness about these unique mammals," added Prinsloo.
Easily identifiable by their great height, the giraffes can be seen wandering around the 4,100 hectare Arabian Wildlife Park - a popular attraction on the 87-square kilometre island located off the coast of Abu Dhabi.
Native to African savannahs, these tall mammals - males can grow up to 5.5 metres and females can grow up to 4.5 metres - prefer to chew on leaves and buds in treetops and can go for several days without drinking water. Moreover, their long legs allow them to run at speeds reaching up to 56 kilometres per hour.
Sir Bani Yas was developed into a wildlife reserve by the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Today, the island is home to over 13,000 free-roaming animals and birds, including oryx, gazelles, deer, ostriches, giraffes and cheetahs.
Offering a wide variety of experiences, ranging from quiet getaways to thrilling adventures and family-fun excursions, guests interested in visiting or staying on Sir Bani Yas can enjoy short direct flights from Abu Dhabi and Dubai through Rotana Jet or can avail of boat transfers from Jebel Dhanna in the Western Region.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com