As the herd of giraffes ran out into the field at the Chester Zoo, a few anxious zoo keepers held their breath as the baby giraffe, Kidepo, struggled to join the rest of the herd.
For a few weeks, the little giraffe – a relative term since he was still over two meters tall – had struggled to make his way out of the barn. “It was as if there were an invisible line there,” said one of the zookeepers.
Since the zookeepers were hoping to clean the enclosure, they hoped today would be the day Kidepo mustered the courage to step outside. But as Kidepo neared the entrance, he came to an abrupt stop.
He was so close to the edge. All he needed to do was take one more step. “Just poke him with a stick,” one of the zookeepers joked. But just then, Kidepo’s mother joined him at the entrance and walked outside. And for the first time, Kidepo joined his herd.
Every face outside was smiling as Kidepo walked up to his family. “It’s so nice seeing him out there with everyone,” said one zookeeper. But watching the little one, some caretakers were still nervous.
Now that he was outside, it looked like Kidepo wanted to try running for the first time. “It’s nerve-wracking to watch a giraffe run for the first time,” said a zookeeper.
Fortunately, the giraffe caretakers did not need to worry about the baby giraffe. While he flailed around at first, he stayed on his feet. “It’s a great achievement. It’s a success,” said a zookeeper.
Share because your action will give animals a voice.
