Oh mum, you're SO embarrassing! Baby giraffe tries to duck away from mother's kiss

By Mail Foreign Service

Last updated at 7:00 AM on 4th June 2010

There  comes a time in every child's life when they are too cool to be kissed in public. Kimmie the giraffe is no exception.

As her 14ft mother Freya leant in for a smooch, the three-month-old did her best to shy away. She wasn't quick enough, however, and got one right on her spotted cheek.

The moment was captured on camera by Geoff Curtis, a father-of-two, at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire.

Kimmie the giraffe looked as if she couldn't wait to wriggle free from her doting mother's kisses

Mr Curtis, of Nottingham, said: 'It was hilarious. The baby even pulled a face as if to say "aw mum".'

Meanwhile there were more boisterous babies on show yesterday at St Felicien Wildlife Zoo, in Quebec, Canada.

Brimming with energy, a pair of playful polar bear cubs put on an enthusiastic show for their audience during their public debut.

Barely six months old, they made a triumphant first appearance, having a splashing time jumping in and out of the water and chasing each other around their enclosure.

The cubs, who appeared with their mother, Aisaqvaq, are housed in the Arctic habitat exhibit at the zoo.

First appearance: The polar bear cubs entertain their audience at the St Felicien Wildlife Zoo, Quebec

Having fun: The cubs chase each other through the water in their enclosure

Water laugh! The cubs are six months old and have just made their public debut

One of the cubs could be seen standing on its back legs on a rock, stretching up to give its mum a kiss while the other then wrestled with its parent.

After chasing each other and having play-fights, they snuggled up together, exhausted.

The zoo allowed public access to the bears, who were born on November 30, 2009, for the first time this week.

Family affair: The cubs climbing on rocks with their mother

Affectionate: A cub reaches up to kiss its mother, then the family snuggle together after an exhausting day

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