A ZOO is celebrating the birth of a Giraffe calf - for the second time in a year.

A ZOO is celebrating the birth of a Giraffe calf - for the second time in a year.

New mum Fiona had looked close to giving birth at Banham Zoo, near Diss, for more than a month. There was even talk among keepers of a Christmas birth but it was not to be - one week before Christmas the new calf was finally delivered.

A spokesperson at Banham Zoo said: “Fiona is a first time mum and has so far proved to be an attentive one, just to be on the safe side staff initially closed the house to allow mum and baby some time to bond but visitors are now being allowed into the house again to see the zoo's newest infant.”

Fiona and her new calf will remain separated from the main herd for a little while yet just to be certain that the calf is feeding well and is strong enough to withstand life with her much taller companions.

But staff are already looking forward to the day when mum and baby can be reintegrated back into the main herd.

The zoo's new Giraffe house was officially opened to the public in March 2008 and currently houses six Giraffe (including the new arrival).