A West African giraffe - said to be "one of the rarest animals on the planet" - has been born at a Cumbrian wildlife park.

Bosses at the South Lakes Wild Animal Park at Dalton-in-Furness believe it is the first of its type to be born in the UK.

They said there were only a few dozen in captivity and no more than 450 in the wild in Niger, West Africa.

The newborn is female but has not yet been named.

'Everyone excited'

It was discovered earlier by keepers at the park and was born to mother Elouise and father Dayo.

Spokeswoman Karen Brewer said: "It's fabulous for us. Everyone is so excited.

"We knew she was pregnant but we weren't expecting the baby until around April. The keepers came into work at 8am and found her.

"We'll let mum do her job and make sure she has lots of food to give her; she is warm and comfortable and not spooked by anything."

Another of the park's three female West African giraffes is pregnant by the sole male with her baby due around early summer.

Ms Brewer added: "This is one of the rarest animals on the planet, with between 35-40 in captivity in the whole of Europe and no more than 450 in the wild.

"We have been directly involved with the protection of the wild population since 2005 and are very proud of the success."

In the wild, West African giraffes are often hunted for their tails, their pelt and meat.

Rare baby giraffe - one of just a handful in captivity - is born in British zoo

The calf was born at South Lakes Wild Animal Park in Cumbria earlier today
The unnamed female is the first West African giraffe ever born in the UK
There are believed to be no more than 450 West African giraffes in the wild

One of the rarest animal species on the planet grew a little larger today when a baby West African giraffe was born at a British zoo.
The female West African giraffe, who hasn't yet been given a name, is the first of her species ever to be born in the country - delighting keepers at South Lakes Wild Animal Park, Cumbria.
There are only believed to be a handful of West African giraffes in captivity and no more than 450 in their native habitat of Niger, West Africa.

The new baby giraffe with her mother Elouise, she is the first of her species ever to be born in the country

The as yet unnamed calf is one of the rarest animals on the planet

Animal Manager Christina Fischer said: 'We are all absolutely elated with our new arrival and incredibly proud of mum Elouise.'

Mother and father watch over their calf, which was born at the South Lakes Wild Animal Park zoo in Cumbria earlier today

The calf, born to mother Elouise and father Dayo, was not due until April, but arrived after a 13-month pregnancy.
Animal Manager Christina Fischer said: 'We are all absolutely elated with our new arrival and incredibly proud of mum Elouise.

'West African Giraffes are the most critically endangered on the planet with only around 450 left in the wild, so to have one born here at the park is amazing.'
West African giraffe numbers have dropped dramatically in recent years as a result of intensive farming and hunting.
They can be distinguished from their Central African cousins due to their lighter-coloured spots.
The treatment of giraffes in captivity has been a cause of international controversy recently when Copenhagen Zoo put down a giraffe to comply with breeding programme rules.

West African giraffes can be distinguished from their Central African cousins due to their lighter-coloured spots

Healthy two-year-old Marius was destroyed amid strong protests to curb the dangers of inbreeding.
A second Danish zoo - Jyllands Park - has now said it may also have to put down an animal.
At least one British wildlife park offered to rehome Marius but he was subsequently destroyed and had his corpse skinned before being fed to the lions - in front of some visiting children.
South Lakes Wild Animal Park Owner & Director David Gill said: 'In 2005 I first visited one of the poorest countries in the world, Niger, in West Africa.
'There was a famine and thousands were dying from lack of food and water. The experience I had changed my life forever.
'I met with some of the most influential people in government and activists who were desperate to save the last 60 known Peralta Giraffes in the whole of the West African region.
'They used to exist all over from the Sahara down to the Atlantic coast. Then restricted to a small pocket about 60 miles outside Niamey the capital of Niger.

West African giraffe numbers have dropped dramatically in recent years as a result of intensive farming and hunting

There are only believed to be a handful of West African giraffes in captivity and no more than 450 in their native habitat of Niger, West Africa

Since that visit South Lakes Wild Animal Park has entered into a 50% partnership with Bioparc Doué-la-Fontaine to financially and administratively support the Association for the Safeguarding of the Giraffes of Niger, ASGN.
Mr Gill added: 'The success of the project in turning around the extinction of such an iconic animal has been one of the best examples of Conservation in Action the world has seen in recent times.
'We went into the starving communities where giraffes were traditionally killed, where they were chased and run over by vehicles and dogs and seen as food and a nuisance to crops and we turned around their attitudes and perceptions of giraffes.
'By bringing fresh water wells, more efficient farming, grinding of food and simple assistance by the use of micro credits to start small business in villages and bringing eco-tourism income. The resulting change in behaviour for the local population has brought one of the most astounding successes in conservation.
'We are very proud of our work and commitments to this project and our partners Bioparc Doue La Fontaine in France.
'We are very proud to have the only West African Giraffes in the UK at South Lakes Safari Zoo. The captive population of the rarest of all giraffes is very small and our little ark may be vital for its long term future.'