I find the age of the giraffe quite interesting. Maybe giraffes in captivity have given birth in their late teens. Is this a first-time birth? Humans have been able to give birth in this day and age into their 60's. Probably with help but I doubt their first. I realize some animals don't mature till later in years and are older when giving birth for the first time. I know a guinea pig for instance is nowhere near a giraffe but if a female has not had babies before she is a year old her pelvis bones fuse together making birth at a later date difficult and most likely resulting in death for the mother and babies unless intervention is taken. I wish males gave birth too. Might put a different light on things. Bones become brittle with age.I sometimes think only the female population can appreciate the pros and cons of a breeding program.

Charlyene Olson
Courtenay, B.C.