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Baby giraffe’s new name has biblical meaning

Posted at 1:04 PM, Jun 02, 2014
and last updated 2014-06-02 13:10:16-04

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. – The giraffe calf recently born at the Metro Richmond Zoo now has a name. Voters who participated in the zoo’s giraffe naming poll chose the name “Oliver.”

“In English, one meaning of the name Oliver is ‘olive tree,'” the zoo explained on Facebook. “The biblical olive tree symbolizes fruitfulness, beauty, and dignity. Extending an olive branch signifies an offer of peace.”

In April, Jessie, a 13-year-old female Reticulated giraffe gave birth to Oliver. The gestation period was 15-months and labor lasted two-hours and seven minutes.

You can watch Oliver’s birth in the video box below.