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Anantara Hotels Resorts & Spas on the treasured Sir Bani Yas Island off the coast of Abu Dhabi, are celebrating the birth of two new baby giraffe calves, a boy and a girl, in the Arabian Wildlife Park. The new additions bring the island’s total Reticulated Giraffe population to 37.
The Reticulated Giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis Reticulata) is the tallest mammal in the world, growing up to five and a half metres in height and is among the most well-known of the nine giraffe subspecies. Its coat consists of large, polygonal, liver-coloured spots outlined by a network of bright-white lines. The blocks may sometimes appear deep red and may also cover the legs. These patterns are unique to each giraffe in the same way as a fingerprint to a human being.
The average lifespan for a giraffe is 25 years. But within the well maintained Arabian Wildlife Park and the conservation efforts on Sir Bani Yas Island as a whole, the giraffes are likely to reach 35 years in age. This extended life span can be attributed to rich plant life and a balanced atmosphere. The Arabian Wildlife Park covers 4,100 hectares of land (almost half of the island), and is the perfect habitat for giraffe, as well as all of the 13,000 animals that call Sir Bani Yas Island their home.
The baby giraffes are now about 2 metres high and each weigh an estimated, 100 kg. Within an hour of being born the new giraffe calves were already able to stand and walk. By one week old, they were able to explore the vegetation. Giraffe young are usually very calm in nature. By the time they are four months old they will be able to consume leafy vegetation, however they will continue to be reliant on their respective mother’s milk for nine to twelve months, and their health and progress will be monitored by officials at the Arabian Wildlife Park.
Sir Bani Yas Island was originally developed as a wildlife reserve by the late founder and president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1971 to ensure the survival of Arabia’s endangered species.
Anantara invites guests to get a glimpse of the new giraffe calves in their natural environment on the Nature Walk (AED 145* per person) or the Wildlife Drive (AED 250 per person) when they visit one of the three luxury resorts on Sir Bani Yas Island. Rates start from AED 950* for a stay at the family friendly Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara or AED 1,600* for a stay in a one bedroom villa at the romantic beachside Anantara Al Yamm Villa Resort. Take advantage of the special Summer GCC Residents Offer where the second room or second night is Free for stays up until 15 September, 2015. Visit www.anantara.com/abudhabisummer
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