The birth of a giraffe calf is always extraordinary. It represents hope, careful planning, and years of dedication to ethical wildlife care and conservation.
For our team at Longneck Manor in Fredericksburg, Texas the arrival of Winifred (Wini for short) was more than a joyful moment — it was the culmination of meticulous preparation, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of both mother and calf.
Her story began long before the day she was born.
Learning From Loss: Tana’s First Birth
Before Winifred, Tana experienced a first pregnancy that ended in heartbreak. Pregnancy and labor for first time moms prompts careful evaluation, consultation with veterinary specialists, and birth contingency planning. Our animal care team, along with our vet team, were present during the birth and did all they could to assist, but due to accidental maternal trauma the baby did not survive.
Loss is an unfortunate reality in both wild and managed wildlife populations, even under expert care. Giraffe births are complex events, and despite close monitoring and veterinary support, outcomes cannot always be controlled.
While deeply difficult for our team, the experience strengthened our resolve. Every lesson learned became part of our commitment to giving Tana and her next calf the best possible chance for success.
Planning Ahead: Preparing for a Healthy Birth
From the moment Tana became pregnant again, preparation began.
Our animal care team worked closely with Exotic Wildlife Veterhttps://www.exoticwildlifevet.com/inary Services, a specialized veterinary group experienced in zoological and exotic animal medicine. Together with Brittni East, DVM and David Love, DVM we developed a proactive care plan that included:
- Routine health monitoring and behavioral observation
- Nutritional adjustments tailored for pregnancy
- Environmental management to reduce stress
- Birth contingency planning and emergency readiness
- Around-the-clock observation as her due date approached
Giraffes are prey animals, meaning they instinctively hide vulnerability. Careful observation without unnecessary interference was key to ensuring Tana felt secure while still allowing our team to respond if needed.
Every decision centered on one principle: support without forcing, allowing natural maternal behaviors to guide the process.
Winifred’s Birthday
When labor began on February 9, 2026, the atmosphere shifted. It was all hands on deck… quietly. The vet team arrived quickly, and while all Longneck Manor staff were in attendance, only a few were near the stall, ready to jump in if necessary. Others watched from the keeper office. On the catwalk above, two additional team members soothed Tana with browse and snacks while she paced in labor. Tana and all our giraffes are very comfortable around the animal staff.
Having Betty in the stall next door was probably the biggest difference from Tana’s last birth. Tana’s experience from her first birth definitely was the critical factor with her being much calmer this time around.
The team monitored quietly as Tana progressed naturally through labor. Giraffe calves enter the world dramatically. Born from their standing mom, they drop nearly six feet to the ground at birth, a moment that helps stimulate breathing and circulation.
Finally, she arrived.
At the “drop” you could have heard a pin drop with everyone’s eyes glued to Tana to see how she would react.
Winifred entered the world alert, strong, and immediately captivating everyone watching. Within moments, Wini began moving and attempting to stand. At this time, usually mothers will nudge the calf and start licking to clear airways. Tana was more curious than attentive. She stooped over Wini and watched as the calf flip-flopped like a fish out of water in her attempts to stand.
Helping Winifred in her efforts was the natural DG (dirt and gravel) floor that allowed her to get good footing and therefore stand up in less than 30 minutes after birth. Concrete floors become very slippery during a giraffe birth and can impede a calf’s success in standing quickly.
The First Stand: A Critical Milestone
For giraffe calves, standing quickly is essential for survival. In the wild, calves must be able to stand and move soon after birth to avoid predators. Even in human care, these instincts remain deeply ingrained.
Winifred worked through several wobbly attempts, without much help from mom, before successfully standing within 30 minutes of birth, a milestone our team watched closely. Each attempt strengthened her muscles and coordination, signaling healthy neurological development.
Seeing her steady herself beside her mother was one of the most emotional moments of the day.
Nursing: The Moment Everyone Waits For
Perhaps the most important milestone after standing is nursing. While Tana had given birth one other time, she had never experienced the nursing process, so again, the team sat on edge to see how she would receive Wini’s attempt at nursing.
Early nursing ensures the calf receives colostrum — nutrient-rich first milk packed with antibodies that support immune system development.
Winifred quickly began to attempt nursing within the expected timeframe, without guidance from mom. She knew right where to go. However, Tana was not being as receptive as the team would have liked. After a questionable and slightly more aggressive shove from mom, the decision was made to retrieve the baby and put her in the adjacent stall, but still close to mom. A dutch door between stalls gave mom and baby access to each other. And this is when Tana’s mothering instincts were visibly kicking in. She started really licking the baby and being attentive. A sigh of relief was exhaled all around as calves pulled from their mom can have much different outcomes.
After a consultation with Rick Barongi, Longneck Manor Owner, the vets decided to administer a mild sedative to Tana to help her relax in hopes that she would let Wini nurse. Whether it was pain from delivery or discomfort from her enlarged udder, it was critical that she would allow Wini to nurse quickly.
Afterwards, Rick said “When we took the newborn calf from Tana we were fairly sure we would have to bottle raise it. Dr. Love and I agreed to have him dart Tana with a mild sedative, in the outside chance she would then allow her calf to nurse. Her swollen udder was painful at first, so the sedative reduced the pain. Once the calf nursed, Tana’s milk started flowing, and nursing was no longer painful but more of a relief.”
It worked. After the sedative kicked in, the team opened the bottom of the dutch door, allowing mom and baby to be together. Again, Wini knew just where to go and Tana was receptive. Baby continued nursing even after the sedative wore off. For caregivers, this milestone represents reassurance that the calf has received one of the most critical foundations for early health.
After months of preparation, relief and joy filled the barn.
How Winifred Is Doing Now
Today, Winifred continues to grow stronger and more curious each day.
She stays close to Tana, learning social cues and gaining confidence as she explores her surroundings. She has met her grandmother, Betty White, her sister Kili Rose, and Mosi, our newest young male. In the coming days, she will be introduced to her brother, Indy, and dad, Kafele.
Guests often notice her playful energy — sudden bursts of movement, long curious stares, and the unmistakable awkward charm of a young giraffe discovering the world.
Behind the scenes, our team continues daily monitoring to ensure she meets developmental benchmarks while allowing her the freedom to grow naturally alongside her mother.
Her progress is a reminder of why conservation-focused care matters.
Veterinary Expertise Behind the Care
Supporting Tana and Winifred throughout pregnancy and birth was the expert team at Exotic Wildlife Veterinary Services, whose veterinarians specialize in exotic and zoological medicine.
Their credentials include extensive experience working with:
- Megafauna and exotic ungulates
- Zoological institutions and conservation programs
- Advanced reproductive and neonatal care
- Preventative medicine for managed wildlife populations
This collaboration ensures that animals at Longneck Manor receive care guided by current veterinary science while prioritizing welfare and natural behavior.
Partnerships like these are essential to responsible conservation work and allow us to provide the highest standard of care possible.
A Birth That Represents Something Bigger
Tana’s story is ultimately about more than one calf.
It reflects resilience after loss, the importance of preparation, and the power of collaboration between dedicated caregivers and veterinary professionals.
Every guest who visits Longneck Manor becomes part of that story. Your stay directly supports ethical animal care, conservation education, and efforts that help protect species like giraffes for generations to come.
Because moments like this don’t happen by accident.
They happen through intention, patience, and care — and sometimes, through the quiet miracle of new life taking its first steps.
As an AZA-accredited facility, we are incredibly proud of our team and the care they provide for our animals.
👉 Book your experience. Share the mission. Help protect Wildlife.
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