10/13/2026
🦒 From a remarkable fight for survival to a milestone worth celebrating.
Meet Milani, the first known giraffe calf to survive a C-section. Born 3 to 7 weeks prematurely on July 11 at in Kansas, she was delivered via emergency surgery after her mother, Virtue, suffered severe, irreversible medical complications late in pregnancy. The procedure gave Milani a chance at life, though Virtue sadly could not be saved. 💚
After months of intensive care, including plasma transfusions, a carefully controlled feeding regimen and assisted standing sessions, Milani reached an incredible milestone last week: she was reunited back with her herd in at .
DID YOU KNOW? 🦒 A newborn giraffe typically stands within minutes of birth and nurses within its first hour. But because Milani was born prematurely, she needed extra support. She received plasma from another giraffe to help support her immune system, an extraordinary intervention that helped give her a fighting chance. 🍼
Milani’s journey is a testament to resilience, the dedication of her care team and the extraordinary work involved in giving vulnerable wildlife a chance to thrive.
Follow to keep up with Milani’s journey! 🌳
