Nora the Rothschild’s Giraffe

Meet Them!


A native daughter of Prague Zoo, Nora is number forty in the long line of Rothschild’s giraffes who first saw the light of day on its grounds. She is the most conservative giraffe of our herd and regards every novelty with due suspicion. As a mother, however, she sets an example.

Origin
She was born in Prague Zoo on June 27, 1999. Her father was Šimon, a longtime icon of the zoo (who was also born in Prague and lived here to the age of almost 24 years – in his time he was the second oldest living male Rothschild’s giraffe in Europe – dying in 2009). Her mother, named Kleopatra, comes from Dvůr Králové Zoo and is still a member of our herd.

Nora the Rothschild’s Giraffe (c) Tomas Adamec

Temperament
Like her father, she has dark coloration, which is often the almost exclusive prerogative of males, while her mother passed on to Nora a svelte figure, a comely face – and a timid disposition. Also, she has a scar on her left hip, a distinguishing mark you can reliably identify her by. She is likeable, but she tends to be rather distrustful towards people. She does not stand out from the herd; she is no leader. She is, though, an exemplary and solicitous mother, who has, by 2013, successfully raised five offspring.

Breeding
We have had Rothschild’s giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) since 1970, when we acquired a male and four females from Dvůr Králové Zoo. This quintet had been captured by Mr. Vágner (former director of Dvůr Králové Zoo) in Africa. Our first giraffe baby was born in 1974 and received the name of Praga. The Prague herd currently consists of a breeding male named Johan, adult females named Kleopatra, Eliška, Diana, Nora and Faraa and adolescent calves of various ages. Thus far into its giraffe-breeding program, Prague Zoo has witnessed the birth of more than 75 calves; in just the year 2012 alone, four calves were born.

Nora the Rothschild’s Giraffe (c) Tomas Adamec


We help them to survive

Prague Zoo is intensely involved in the protection of animal species, whether they live under human care or in their natural habitats. Join us in helping them to survive!

 

 

 

Total zoo area 58 ha
Total exhibit area 50 ha
Number of pavilions 15
Number of exhibits over 150
Number of employees 240

 

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