Arrival of rare baby giraffe brings festive cheer at Britain's Chester Zoo

Zookeepers in Chester on Wednesday released details of the birth of one of the rarest giraffes in the world.

Just 1,600 Rothschild's giraffes remain in the wild, making them one of the world's most at risk species.

Despite the global threat to the animal, the zookeepers at Chester were delighted when first-time mum Tula gave birth to a calf on Dec. 26.

Standing almost two meters in height, the as yet unnamed calf arrived to Tula and dad Meru at around 7 a.m.local time. The sex of the calf has still to be determined.

A spokesman at Chester Zoo said recent estimates are that less than 1,600 remain in the wild, primarily as a result of poaching and habitat loss.

Sarah Roffe, team manager of giraffes at the zoo, said:"Rothschild's giraffes are highly endangered and so the arrival of a new calf is a major cause for celebration. It really is the best Christmas gift we could have ever have wished for." Endit