Baby giraffe at Marwell named Olympia (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Baby giraffe at Marwell named Olympia

1:00pm Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News By Joanne Mace

Olympia with mum Isabella. Pic by Jason Brown

AFTER thousands of votes were cast by the public, Marwell Wildlife can reveal that the new name for their baby giraffe is Olympia.

Olympia was born in front of visitors to the park on Friday, August 17. Experienced mum Isabella went into labour at around 8am and took almost four hours to give birth.

After the new arrival, animal keepers selected four possible names – Afia, Arria, Subira and Olympia – which then went to the public vote. Olympia was a clear favourite and received a 67 per cent majority.

Staff at Marwell, near Winchester, are delighted with the calf’s progress and visitors are enjoying watching the youngster begin to gallop around her new home.

Ian Goodwin, collection manager at Marwell, said: “We are really pleased Olympia was chosen. It’s a great name and really suits her.

“It’s also extremely fitting with this year’s Olympic fever and is a great way to mark the London 2012 Games and Paralympics.

“Olympia is a very healthy youngster. She is mixing well with the other giraffes and Isabella is a great mum.”

Olympia is Marwell’s second giraffe to be born this year. In February, Irsula gave birth to Ruby the giraffe.

All of the giraffes at Marwell Wildlife are on public view and can be seen at the park’s Into Africa or in The Valley field along with zebra, ostrich and waterbuck.