The zoo said a Masai giraffe calf was born on the evening of March 10 in the Heart of Africa region to 15-year-old mother Zuri.💛🦒
POWELL, Ohio — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s giraffe herd gained a new member this month with the birth of a male calf, the zoo announced Friday.
The zoo said a Masai giraffe calf was born on the evening of March 10 in the Heart of Africa region to 15-year-old mother Zuri.
Zuri and the calf are being given time to bond in the giraffe barn and a behind-the-scenes barn as he begins introductions with other members of the herd.
The calf does not yet have a name. Information about naming opportunities will be shared at a later date.
Zuri has lived at the Columbus Zoo since 2013 after transferring from The Wilds. This is her third surviving calf born at the zoo. Her other calves, Ralph, born in 2020, and Charlie, born in 2022, also live at the zoo.
The calf’s father, Bobbie, has been at the zoo since 2023 after arriving from the Houston Zoo. This is his first calf.
Over its history, the Columbus Zoo has welcomed 23 surviving giraffe calves.
“Welcoming a giraffe calf reflects the care, expertise, and collaboration that guide our work every day,” said Tom Schmid, president and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds. “This birth is a testament to the dedication of our teams and our shared commitment to protecting Masai giraffes for the future.”
Masai giraffes are listed as Endangered and it is estimated that only about 43,000 remain in the wild.