Newborn giraffe, Jude, is named after England star

A baby giraffe named after England superstar Jude Bellingham is set to make its bow at a Kent wildlife park.

Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve, in Hythe, said the female calf was its first giraffe born at the site since 2018.

A spokesperson said the naming of the youngster was inspired by the "remarkable timing of her birth", shortly before Bellingham led England to victory against Norway.

"It's still very early days, so Jude cannot yet be seen by the public," they said.

Port Lympne confirmed that Jude and her mother, Leana, were "doing well" and "enjoying some quiet time together in the giraffe house".

They said the rest of the herd were "fascinated" by the new arrival and regularly checking in on the mum and daughter as they prepare for slow, carefully managed introductions over the coming days.

With Jude's arrival, the Nubian giraffe herd at the wildlife park has grown to eight, Port Lympne added.

"We're delighted with how everything is progressing and hope it won't be long before Jude is confidently exploring the reserve and meeting all of our visitors," they say.

According to Edinburgh Zoo, there are fewer than 4,000 Nubian giraffes left in the wild and they are listed as critically endangered.

They live in western Ethiopia, central and western Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda.

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