A new arrival at Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve in Hythe, Kent, has been named Jude, paying homage to England's football star Jude Bellingham. The female Nubian giraffe calf, born recently, is the first of her species to be born at the wildlife park since 2018, marking a significant moment for the conservation efforts at the reserve.
The inspiration for the calf's name came from the remarkable timing of her birth, which occurred shortly before Bellingham's influential performance in England's victory against Norway. This connection to a national sporting hero has added a touch of celebratory spirit to the arrival of the critically endangered animal.
Currently, Jude and her mother, Leana, are enjoying a period of quiet bonding within the giraffe house and are not yet accessible for public viewing. A spokesperson for Port Lympne confirmed that both mother and daughter are doing well. The rest of the herd is reportedly fascinated by the new addition, regularly checking in on them as preparations are made for carefully managed introductions over the coming days.
Jude's birth increases the Nubian giraffe herd at Port Lympne to eight individuals. This growth is particularly important given the species' precarious status in the wild. Nubian giraffes are listed as critically endangered, with fewer than 4,000 estimated to be left globally, primarily inhabiting regions in western Ethiopia, central and western Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda.
The reserve expressed delight with the progress of the new calf and anticipate that it will not be long before Jude confidently explores the wider reserve and begins to meet visitors. This new birth underscores the vital role that wildlife parks like Port Lympne play in the breeding programmes and conservation of endangered species.