A newborn Nubian giraffe named Jude has been born at Port Lympne Reserve in Kent, England, in July 2026. The calf was named after English football star Jude Bellingham, following his standout performance in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match against Norway.
The reserve, which is part of the Aspinall Foundation, announced the birth on July 15, 2026. The giraffe is a male and was born to mother Luna. Nubian giraffes are a subspecies of the northern giraffe and are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Port Lympne Reserve is known for its conservation efforts and has a history of naming animals after celebrities and sports figures. The naming of the giraffe after Bellingham highlights the player's popularity following his performance in the World Cup.
The calf is reported to be healthy and is being cared for by its mother. The reserve hopes that the birth will raise awareness about the plight of Nubian giraffes in the wild, where their numbers have declined due to habitat loss and poaching.
