Giraffe in South Korea gives birth to 18th calf, in what could be new world record

SEOUL, South Korea – Officials at a safari park in South Korea say a giraffe there has given birth to its 18th calf.

Officials at the Samsung Everland safari park said in a statement Monday that the birthing set a new world record.

They said the mother giraffe, Jang-Soon, previously shared that record with a giraffe in Paris. Past record holders also include giraffes from Melbourne and San Diego that gave birth to 16 calves.

Everland said they plan to have the record certified by a group that keeps a global database on zoo animals.

The birth on Sunday came coincidentally on Jang-Soon's 27th birthday. The reticulated-giraffe was bred in the Samsung Everland safari park.

Giraffes have an average life expectancy of 25 years, although captive giraffes live longer.