3 Brookfield Zoo dolphins expecting

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:48:00 -0500

Chicago Zoological Society officials say three Brookfield Zoo bottlenose dolphins are pregnant.

Officials said Monday that 26-year-old Allie, 31-year-old Tapeko and 10-year-old Spree are due to give birth this summer and fall.

Allie has had two previous calves and Tapeko, three. But first-time mother Spree will require extra care as her pregnancy will have greater risks, as with other mammals.

Officials say zoological society field scientists, veterinarians and husbandry managers work together to improve the well-being of dolphins at Brookfield Zoo and in the wild.

Society associate veterinarian Jennifer Langam says prenatal care for the dolphins is similar to that for human moms, which includes ultrasound exams and blood tests.

Factors tracked during daily activities include weight gain, body temperature, diet and blubber thickness.

Baby giraffe makes debut at Brookfield Zoo

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 08:16:00 -0600

A baby giraffe has made his debut at Brookfield Zoo in suburban Chicago.

Zoo officials say the baby boy was born Nov. 12 but didn't go on public display until Wednesday. His mother is five-year-old Arnieta and his father is four-year-old Hasani. The baby boy weighs 140 pounds and is six feet, two inches tall.

The baby is the 58th giraffe born at Brookfield Zoo. Zoo officials say it's an important birth because he is the first offspring for Arnieta and Hasani. Hasani arrived at Brookfield Zoo in 2010 and is on a breeding loan from Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City, Kan.

Giraffes give birth standing up after 14 1/2-month-long gestation period.

When fully grown, the baby could potentially be 18 to 19 feet tall.

WBEZ | brookfield zoo

3 Brookfield Zoo dolphins expecting

Baby giraffe makes debut at Brookfield Zoo