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Giraffe begins 24 hour road trip

Xinhua, September 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

Workers are taking care to avoid low bridges as they drive Asali the giraffe 2,200 km from Perth Zoo to her new home in South Australia on Wednesday.

A zookeeper and a veterinarian have been accompanying eight- year-old Asali on the 24-hour journey across the Nullarbor Plain to join a herd of females at the open range Monarto Zoo, 70 km southeast of Adelaide, where she was born.

Asali has been training for six months to walk in and out of her specially-designed transport crate and feel comfortable inside.

She can peer over the door to take in the scenary.

Perth Zoo has planned the route to avoid low bridges or trees for the 4.4-meter giraffe, and has consulted the power company to raise power-lines where necessary.

Asali's departure will enable Perth Zoo to bring in an unrelated female from Queensland to introduce to male giraffe Armani for breeding to maintain the herd's genetic diversity. Endi