Did you know a giraffe has over 200 spots? Each pattern is unique and no two coats are the same, just like human fingerprints!

Along with counting spots and dots, Monarto Safari Park has recorded some other significant numbers this week – 21, 53 and 34.

Last Thursday, Monarto welcomed the birth of a little giraffe calf – taking the safari park’s total number of giraffe across two herds to 21, the largest in Australia.

The male calf was born in the Waterhole exhibit to mum, 17-year-old Korongo, and dad seven-year-old Mzuri.

This brings the total number of giraffe born at the safari park to 53, cementing Monarto as the most successful giraffe breeding institution in Australasia.

Ungulate keeper Vaughan Wilson said after taking time to bond with mum, the calf is feeding well and finding his hooves.

“He is doing really well. With any giraffe calf the first day or so is quite tense as we want it all to go well,” he said.

“Korongo and her calf have formed a bond now and he has been getting regular feeds. Over the past few days he has been sitting down and taking in his new surroundings, while mum keeps a watchful eye.”

Female giraffe give birth standing up. Their young fall about two metres to the ground and can stand up within an hour of birth.

This is Korongo’s fifth calf and three of her offspring, Kamili, Mkali and Carlo, still live at Monarto Safari Park.

Zoos SA will announce details of the new calf’s name in the coming weeks.

It is estimated there are only around 68,000 giraffe roaming the savannah plains of Africa with their species vulnerable to extinction.

This number is declining as their habitat shrinks due to human population growth and an increase in agricultural activity, expanding settlements and road construction.

This brings us to the third significant number – 34.

Last month the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) announced the discovery of a new and previously unknown population of 34 critically-endangered Kordofan giraffe in Chad. This is the northernmost population ever recorded.

Zoos SA is long-term supporter of the GCF and donates money through our Giraffe Safari and feed experiences across both sites.

This support has helped GCF purchase GPS satellite-tracking units called Twiga Trackers, which help provide a better understanding of the movement and habitat of wild giraffe.

For more information or to book your tickets to visit the calf, please visit monartosafari.com.au.