Wasswa feeds shortly after being born.Wasswa feeds shortly after being born.

Twin giraffes have been born in a Texas wildlife refuge, marking just the second time such a birth has occurred in the US. Female calf Wasswa was born first on May 10, followed by brother Nakato. Officials with the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch waited until yesterday to announce the births to ensure the calves would survive.

Ranch spokes­woman Melissa Welch says Wasswa and Nakato are the only set of living giraffe twins in the US. A previous set was born in 1988 but have since died.

Welch says most twin giraffes are still-born or have to be aborted. Wasswa and Nakato are reti­culated giraffes, one of the most common species. They will stay at the privately- owned ranch outside New Braunfels for public viewing.

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