On May 10, 2013, Central Texas welcomed a most adorable set of twins to the world with the birth of Wasswa and Nakato, who measured in at 4.5 feet and 5.5 feet tall respectively.
In case you need a cute reminder, Wasswa and Nakato are twin reticulated giraffes born at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas. As the only living set of giraffe twins in the United States (and only the second documented case in the country) the twins made waves as Texans welcomed the pair.
As Wasswa and Nakato celebrated their first birthday, Natural Bridge announced that the twins are not just thriving — they’re growing fast.
As Wasswa and Nakato celebrated their first birthday, Natural Bridge announced that the twins are not just thriving — they’re growing fast. Since last May, the first-born female calf, Wasswa, has grown another 4.5 feet and gained 465 pounds on top of her birth weight. Her brother, Nakato, has grown 4 feet and added 400 pounds. And they have plenty more growing to do, considering the average reticulate giraffe can grow up to 18 feet and weigh between 1,800 and 2,600 pounds.
After the birth of this special duo, the staff behind Natural Bridge had to grow, too. “The twins’ birth was extremely rare. We didn’t have science or history as a guide,” says Tiffany Soechting, Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch marketing director and animal specialist caring for the newborn giraffes.
The twins have also developed their own lovable personalities over the last year. Nakato, known as Buddy on the ranch, is described as more personable and assertive, while his sister can be a bit shy. Both enjoy playing with each other, thus doubling the fun at one of the top tourist destinations in Central Texas.
An obvious highlight at the 450-acre animal preserve, the twins are just two of many exotic animals on the ranch, so it's worth the drive to New Braunfels. But if you can’t make a trip soon, catch up with the twins by watching this adorable video celebrating their first birthday.
The rare giraffe twins born at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch in New Braunfels are doing well on their first birthday.
