Giraffe calf takes first steps at Whipsnade
Margaret is on the move
Last updated 14th Apr 2021
A giraffe calf has taken her first steps outside at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo after the park reopened to visitors on Monday.
Four-month-old Margaret, named after the first British coronavirus vaccine recipient, Margaret Keenan, was said to be capturing the mood of the nation'' by keepers.
She was born at the Bedfordshire zoo on December 8th, the day the UK's first Covid-19 jab was administered and Margaret had stayed inside the giraffe house with mother Luna until this week.
However the young giraffe was filmed by zoo staff venturing outdoors for the first time and exploring the herd’s enclosure. In the footage, Margaret can be seen tentatively following her mother and other members of the herd past a lake, before striding off to explore her environment alone, ‘checking in’ with mum Luna from time-to-time.
Team leader Mark Holden said:
"Once again, Margaret seems to be capturing the mood of the nation.
"First, she was born - a huge boost for the population of her endangered species - on the same day that the first Covid-19 vaccine was administered.
"Now, here she is, taking her first steps outside just as the rest of the UK is venturing back out on family adventures.''
“With 600 acres to explore, we are the perfect place for anyone looking to blow off the cobwebs of lockdown and head into the countryside, where Margaret and the world’s most incredible animals wait to be discovered.”
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