Kiwi giraffe migrates to Australia
Post on: 2011-09-05 By: admin
New Zealand is set to lose one of itstallest citizens to Australia.Jelani, the bachelor giraffe, will make the week-long voyage toAustralia in a specially designed 4.2-metre high crate bound forhis new home among rhino and zebra at Melbourne's Werribee OpenRange Zoo.'It will be sad to see Jelani go, but Jelani's dad Zabulu is thezoo's breeding male,' explains Nat Sullivan from Auckland Zoo.'If we had more than one male, we wouldn't have the space toenable us to continue breeding here.'The placid 18-month-old, destined to join a regional breedingprogram, was driven through Auckland streets with his head pokingout of his crate en route to the port ahead of his Monday eveningdeparture.Unsurprisingly, giraffes are one of the most logisticallydifficult animals to transport.Jelani has to be vaccinated, micro-chipped and 'crate trained'to make his trip as comfortable as possible.Among his luggage are toys, medical supplies and huge containersof food, with two vets on hand to check him regularly and 'help himfeel secure'.Maersk Line New Zealand Ports Manager Sunil Thakur said theunusual cargo posed some challenges.'Any cargo that is not the standard size and shape requires abit of extra planning to ensure we make the best possible use ofthe space available,' Mr Thakur said.Jelani, who stands 3.5-metres tall, will be loaded last, andwill be well protected from the harsh ocean elements during hisjourney.
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Article original from: http://bigpondnews.com/articles/World/2011/09/05/Kiwi_giraffe_migrates_to_Australia_658268.html
