BELFAST Zoo has welcome a cute new arrival - a baby giraffe.
Ballyclare, a Rothschild's giraffe, was born to fourth-time mother, Neja last Thursday night.
The zoo said mother and baby are doing well with the keepers and veterinarian closely watching over the pair to ensure the calf is nursing well and the mother-calf bond is strong.
Ballyclare, or Clare for short, was given the name as it is a tradition at Belfast Zoo to name new giraffe calves after towns and villages that begin with Bally.
Measuring 5ft 9in, baby Clare already has a head start on her older brother Ronan who was born in May. He was one of the shortest giraffe calves ever born at Belfast Zoo at just 5ft 2in.
It was also reported that the calf got her balance quickly after birth, seemed very strong, and was able to stand up within an hour.
Alyn Cairns, zoo manager, said "We work collaboratively with zoos around the world and take part in a European breeding programme.
"Since we became home to the species in 1988, we have celebrated the arrival of 37 calves and we are delighted to welcome little Clare to the herd".
Belfast Zoo is now home to nine Rothschild’s giraffes, one of the nine subspecies of giraffes.
