And now for your daily dose of cuteness. Earlier this month, rare twin reticulated giraffes were born in New Braunfels, Texas. The only living set of its kind (and only the second documented case in the U.S.), the twins were born at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch on May 10.
As one might expect, the giraffes' birth weights and heights are a feat all their own. First-born Wasswa, a female calf, weighed 95 pounds and measured 4.5 feet tall. Brother Nakato's birth measurements were 125 pounds and 5.5 feet tall.
"Both Wasswa and Nakato are thriving,” said Tiffany Soechting, an animal care specialist who is tending after the twins. To further protect the health of this rare pair, Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is limiting interaction with the giraffes, including media interviews near their enclosure.
The ranch is a well-known tourist spot between Austin and San Antonio, covering 400 acres of the Hill Country. It provides guests access to view native and endangered species in a free-roaming environment (from the safety of a car, of course). There are eight giraffes residing at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, including the twins’ father, 10-year-old Marshall and mother, 7-year-old Carol.
If photos aren't enough, you can also watch this video of the newborns' first days.
Nakato nuzzles with his mom shortly after birth.
