RIP MARILYN, MY FAVORITE GIRAFFE AT THE MEMPHIS ZOO

RIP MARILYN:

On Oct. 30th, 2019 Memphis Zoo officials have announced the sad news that its oldest giraffe has died at the age of 26. Marilyn was a favorite of zoo visitors; she gave birth to six calves.

Zoo officials said in the post that the giraffe's "strong maternal instincts and experience made her a regular 'auntie' and 'midwife'" for other new mothers and young giraffes in the herd.

I’d like to celebrate her life! So, I built a photo gallery here of some of my pictures of Marilyn, her babies and some of the other giraffes. As a photojournalist in Memphis, I photographed Marilyn often and also many of her babies at one time or another over the years. Watching and photographing giraffes is one of my favorite pastimes.

Reticulated giraffes are endangered, but Marilyn did her share to reproduce this beautiful creature. The Memphis Zoo’s breeding program has been very successful. For several years here in Memphis, we’ve enjoyed baby giraffes each spring. The gestational period of a giraffe is over a year and their babies are usually born at about six feet in height.

Reticulated giraffes are native to Somalia but they are also found in Northern Kenya. It is estimated that there are less than 9,000 Reticulated Giraffes left in the wild.

The first video below is of Marilyn and her baby. I made other short videos of the giraffe’s at the Memphis zoo and I will share them here too because giraffes, especially baby giraffes, are such a joy to watch.

VIDEOS BELOW:

Thanks for the memories.

Just Because Who Doesn't Love A Baby Pug?

Just Because Who Doesn't Love A Baby Pug?

So, enjoy looking at these adorable pictures of Stanley and Lila.

Orangutan Kisses

When Baby Orangutan Rowan, wants mommy Kisses.

~Rowan and Jahe are on exhibit at the Memphis Zoo.
Baby Rowan, was born on March 19, 2016 at the Memphis Zoo via Cesarean section. Rowan, weighed 4.5 pounds at birth, and was bottle fed by zookeepers. He is a Sumatran Orangutan. Only about 200 Sumatran Orangutans are currently on exhibit across the USA. The species is listed as “Critically Endangered.”  Orangutan means “man of the forest;” Orangutans have the second longest childhood, first being humans, spending up to eight years with their mothers.