MEET THE FAMILY NUBIAN GIRAFFES of Gambella National Park In the far western corner of Ethiopia on the border with South Sudan lies the country’s largest national park Established in 1973 Gambella National Park covers nearly 1,800 square miles 4,662 sq km of grasslands grasslands and forests The Baro River home to the rare shoebill stork flows across its northern region Unhindered by roads or fences gentle gentle giants giraffes elephants and antelopes roam the park It is early October the start of bega when seasonal rains cease and the floodplain and savanna begin to dry up Members in a group of 24 Nubian giraffes mostly female use their lower front teeth like chisels to scrape thin sheets of bark from mango trees One giraffe steps away from her companions sensing the need for privacy For 15 months a baby giraffe has been growing inside her The time has come for the calf to be born
CLOSE-UP Neck bones Like humans giraffes have seven neck bones called cervical vertebrae These 10 inch long 25 4 cm bones are connected by ball and socket joints that allow the neck to be highly flexible
01 CHAPTER ONE life begins Giraffes are the tallest land mammals on Earth Males called bulls typically stand 18 feet 5 5 m tall and weigh about 2,800 pounds 1,270 kg Females called cows are a few feet shorter and can weigh up to 2,000 pounds 907 kg Newborn calves may be up to six feet 1 8 m tall They can stand within an hour of birth and run within 10 hours It was once thought that only one kind of giraffe existed In 2016 genetics helped researchers divide giraffes into four species Masai reticulated reticulated southern and northern and into subspecies and ecotypes as well Angolan and South African giraffes are subspecies of southern giraffes Northern giraffe subspecies are Kordofan West African and Nubian The giraffe’s coat is covered with unique patches of dark fur GAMBELLA NUBIAN GIRAFFE MILESTONES DAY 1 Born Able to stand and run Ossicones flat 1 inch 2 5 cm long Height 5 7 feet 1 7 m Weight 130 pounds 59 kg 7
