There’s nothing like animal stories to trigger our compassionate humanity as our hearts are flushed with feel-good hormones. News from the Western Plains Zoo of the birth of a baby giraffe on Friday certainly ranks high on the sentimentality stakes (“Mum gets a tall order”, DT, 6/9). Originally called camelopards, because people thought they looked like camels with leopard skins, these tallest mammals are much loved for their gentle nature and noble countenance. With mothers needing to hide their newborn in far flung corners away from prying eyes, I hope the zoo doesn’t run out of corners in its square paddocks with five more calves due in spring. Entering common lexicology, the French have a phrase “combing the giraffe” to describe pointless actions. I had to double check, but a group of giraffes is a “tower”. Now I am laughing. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 9Sept2024
