GIRAFFE fever has hit Longleat Safari Park after the birth of 6ft baby Amber two weeks ago.

Proud mother Jolly, 16, finally gave birth to the new arrival after a 15-month pregnancy.

This latest birth is the first since one year-old Tweezer was born, with Jolly having to make a trip up to the West Midlands Safari Park last year to find a willing boyfriend.

With Longleat Safari Park, near Warminster, closing for the season at the end of this month, Amber has already taken a few steps into the outside world before she spends most of the winter indoors.

Keith Harris, head warden at Longleat, said Amber would not become a fully mature adult for another five years and would be suckling for at least another six to eight months.

He said: "She was born at 6ft tall. Giraffes give birth standing up so there is quite a drop sometimes.

"Jolly has had quite a few babies before so she is a very experienced mother. The only difference was she went away to her boyfriend this time.

"Amber has been getting on very well, she has been out but when it gets cold she stays inside. You have to pamper them a little bit."

Amber is the latest in a string of new arrivals at Longleat Safari Park this season.

Millie the Bactrian camel was born in March, while Jinga the zebra and Denzel the tapir were born in August.