“CONSERVATION”
My
name is Affe
~ in
Africa I dwell.
My parents ~ by hunters harrassed, yearning to kill for their
tawny-spot skins
were rescued by kind humans ~ and to “Conservation” guided
(a grassland mecca, protecting my species.)
No foes, no hunters with guns ~ their freedom was bliss
as they roamed the forest and lapped cool water
from a meandering stream.
They met 'family kin', who'd also been rescued
and brought to a safe savannah by Bruno and wifc Sarah.
He
was kind, he was caring and ensured their safety.
The herd of giraffes, so friendly, about 40 or 50,
offered a life on several rambling acres.
They dined on lush leaves in the plentiful forest
and had places serene for daily rests.
The savannah is a rolling grassland, scattered with shrubs
and isolated trees between tropical forest and desert zone.
Savannahs are found in Africa, Australia, South America
and Asia's Southeast.
Giraffes thrive in hot climate zones
and can quickly flee from wide open spaces.
I asked my Mah, “How was I born?”
And this is what was told me:
“During
seasonal change, births in the wild occur,
but
at “Conservation”
can
occur year-round.
The males are called 'bulls' and the females, called 'cows.'
And 'calves' are all the babies
About the 'Birds and the Bees' ~ this is what she told:
“In
mating season, bull nudges cow's behind, inducing urination,
then tastes the urine to see if cow's in heat and ready to mate with
him.
Gestation period is from 13 to 14 months.
When ready to give birth, goes to her 'calving area'
(that she'll use throughout her life).
The moment of birth is dramatic!
The cow stands on all 4's and onto the ground, the calf tumbles out.
(The calf is about 6 feet tall.)
The calf, rarely injured, is on its feet (about 20 minutes)
and soon is feeding on mother's milk.
Baby can walk about one hour after birth
and within 24 hours can run!”
A fascinating element of giraffe behaviour
is the duel between males for mating partners:
Two males, approaching each other engage in rubbing
and intertwining their necks.
Known
as necking,
it
allows opponents to assess
the other's strength and size.
The loser walks away ~ awaiting next season.
If
'necking' does not dominance
establish,
the males become
rougher and more aggressive with neck pressure,
and injury possibly the result.
When frisky one morning after herd-hunting,
we explored a valley unknown and there on a knoll
stood a 2-storey house facing our 'Conservation' grasslands.
The
entry sign “Giraffe
Manor” intrigued
us.
Bruno with wife, Sarah, invited us to approach the upper floor
windows.
A honeymoon couple from Nairobi were enjoying breakfast
(They chose to stay at 'Giraffe Manor' where wild giraffes freely
roam.)
Bruno said, “You can join them for breakfast!”
We
gently approached trhe 2nd
floor windows ~ ate some pellets given to us.
BREAKFAST WITH GIRAFFES!
How Cool!
“Twas
time to marry ~ but I don't know whom.
A hunter, so kind, brought a hobbling giraffe ~ a gashed leg by an
attacking lion.
At “Conservation” he prayed Bruno could heal.
So handsome and young and with pleading eyes
I yearned to stand by his side.
Bruno, in captivity kept him to heal and strength regain
afore return to the herd.
Communicated,
we did ~ Gir
and me.
Together we gleaned high-tree leaves and water we drank
from
blue-crystal streams.
And now we're espoused: Gir and Affe ~
happily dwelling in Savannah-land!
Composed by Merle Baird-Kerr...June 9, 2018
(#2 in my Regime of Animal Life)
Notations:
Giraffes are the tallest terrestrial animal and the largest
ruminate.
Their feet are the size of 12-inch dinner plates and their height may
stretch up to 20 feet.
Tails may grow to 8 inches long including tuft and tail end.
A large male can eat as much as 100 pounds of food a day
The giraffe has shortest sleep requirements of any mammal (between
10 minutes and 2 hours daily.)
Giraffes can rest ~ standing up, flicking their ears...and keeping 1
eye open, alternately, to keep alert.
The calf, weaned at one year, is fully independent by 15-month age.
In captivity, they feed on alfalfa hay and pellets, apples, carrots,
bananas and browse (elm & alders).
Ancestors first appeared in Central Asia about 15 million years ago.
In ancient Rome, Grevy's Zebras were trained to pull chariots
under
the alias 'horse-tiger.'
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