Chester Zoo: Rare giraffe calf kicks up heels in first outing

A rare newborn giraffe "kicked up her heels" on the animal's first foray outdoors at a zoo.

Two-week-old Edie, a Rothschild's giraffe whose birth was captured on CCTV cameras, joined the rest of the herd for a walkabout at Chester Zoo.

The zoo said Rothschild's giraffes are some of the world's most at-risk mammals.

Team manager Sara Roffe said Edie's playful chasing was a "joy to watch".

Edie's birth was captured on Chester Zoo's CCTV cameras

Edie was named after Lake Edward in Uganda, one of the African Great Lakes, in homage to the zoo's conservation efforts in the east African country.

There are fewer than 2,500 of the Rotschild's sub-species in the wild, the zoo said.

Edie was photographed on her first venture outside

Ms Roffe said Edie was already more than 6ft (1.8m) tall.

She said: "Edie has spent the last couple of weeks bonding with mum Orla and the rest of the herd in a cosy nest area and, despite getting to her feet within minutes after the birth, her long legs have taken a little time to get used to.

"But now she's looking really strong, having already gained 30kg since being born, and so it's time to head out with the herd.

"It took no time at all before she kicked up her heels and raced outside into the sunshine on her very first outdoor adventure, where she was running in between the legs of the adult giraffes.

"Having a new youngster in the group always creates a bit of excitement and playful chasing - it is a real joy to watch."

Ms Roffe added: "Edie is an important addition to the international conservation breeding programme in zoos across Europe and will go on to play a role in preventing the extinction of Rothschild's giraffes, especially as so few remain in the wild."