Global Wildlife Center in Folsom recently announced the birth of a new baby reticulated giraffe, increasing the herd, or “tower,” of giraffes to 13.

The GWC is home to one of the largest herds of endangered reticulated giraffes in the country. Sara, a 5-year-old female who was also born at the center, gave birth Monday, Nov. 5, to a healthy male calf. This is Sara’s second baby born at the Center; her first was Nala, born last year. Her newest baby boy is now part of the fourth generation of giraffes born at Global Wildlife Center.

As of mid-November, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, reticulated giraffes are now considered “endangered” with total populations declining as much as 40 percent over the past 30 years. Two other subspecies, the Nubian and Kordofan giraffes, are now “critically endangered” with numbers as low as 4,000 in the wild.

Along with its successful breeding program, the GWC is excited to have partnered with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation to raise funds and awareness for repopulating giraffe in their native continent of Africa.

GWC officials said that this latest birth is a true testament to Global Wildlife’s free-roaming model, which allows the giraffe tower to roam and forage over 900 acres of land, simulating their natural habitat in the wild. The Global Wildlife Team believes this low stress and open range environment has significantly contributed to the success of its breeding program over the past 27 years.

Global Wildlife Center would love citizens’ help in naming the newest baby giraffe by visiting the Center’s Facebook Page and Instagram accounts. Visit online at www.globalwildlife.com for Safari Tour times and details on booking a private tour to support this amazing species.