Malayan Tapirs are very rare, with less than 50 in European zoos

The birth of Gertrude is good news for the zoo, as numbers of the Malayan tapir are rapidly decreasing in the wild.

The new Rothschild giraffes are named Sillan and Caragh.

Sillan, the male giraffe, was born on 10 September to proud parents Finn and Dana.

It was Finn's seventh time to father a calf and Dana's third time birthing a calf.

Jeremy and Ann Goacher - who were participating on the 'Keeper for a Day scheme' the Zoo offers - were present for Sillan's birth.

"Being present to watch a giraffe being born and take its first steps was a bonus on the day," said Jeremy.

The new Rothschild giraffes are named Sillan and Caragh

Caragh, the female giraffe, was born on 23 September to Chrissy and Finn.

The giraffes at Belfast Zoo are all Rothschild's giraffes and are part of a European Breeding Programme.

There are now nine giraffes in the herd at the Zoo, most of which were born there.

Zoo manager Mark Challis said the programme was essential.

"It is a safe back-up population of giraffes, should there be a catastrophe in the wild," he said.

"If the Rothschild's giraffes disappear in the wild, we know there is a safe population in Europe.

"Our breeding here in the zoo is vital and very important."

The giraffes at Belfast Zoo are all Rothschild's giraffes

The new Malayan tapir's parents Gladys and Elmer are on loan to Belfast Zoo as part of the world wide breeding programme.

Malayan tapirs are very rare, with fewer than 50 in European zoos and a global captive population of about 150 animals.

While their numbers are decreasing in the wild, European zoos are establishing a sustainable captive population.