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Zoo Welcomes New Baby

SPRINGFIELD, MO – A baby giraffe was born Ocotober 9, 2002, at Dickerson Park Zoo. Cheka, the 9-year-old mother, gave birth to a female calf at approximately 12:20 this afternoon. The calf took its first steps about 30 minutes after birth. Zookeepers noticed the first signs of labor around 9:30 a.m.; the calf's feet and head were visible around 11 a.m.

The zookeeper who first noticed the labor received the honor of naming the newest member of the zoo family and chose the name "Acacia," a tree common the giraffe's range in sub-Saharan Africa.

This is Cheka's third calf. Her first calf was born at Dickerson Park Zoo in June 1999 and later transferred to another facility. In 2001, Cheka's second calf was only a few weeks old when it died of spinal injuries. Cheka was born at the San Diego Wild Animal Park in January 1993 and came to Dickerson Park Zoo seven years ago. The calf's father, "Stretch," came to Dickerson Park Zoo in September 1988 from Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo; he is 15 years old.

The new calf can be seen at the giraffe exhibit along with the zoo's five other giraffes at the exhibit building yard. This calf is the second born at Dickerson Park Zoo this year. A male calf, "K.T.," was born on May 30. "Acacia" is the fifteenth giraffe born at Dickerson Park Zoo, a participant in the Species Survival Plan® for giraffes through the American Zoo & Aquarium Association. The SSP committee coordinates breeding plans with participating institutions to maintain genetic diversity throughout the captive population.

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