In keeping with our theme of the week, Awesome Firsts, today, we present a baby giraffe standing for the first time!

In the early morning hours on March 22nd at LEO Zoological Conservation Center, Petal, a 6 year old endangered Rothschild giraffe, began the early stages of labor. At 9.04am, after a relatively short labor, she gave birth to a healthy, female calf. Petal has bonded extremely well, was very attentive, and began nurturing her calf right away. Within 30 minutes of the birth, the calf was standing and nursing. Our new arrival was greeted by LEOZCC's herd of giraffe who were eagerly watching the birth. The baby giraffe was subsequently named "Sandy Hook" in honor of the victims and families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.

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