Adelaide Zoo Giraffe Celebrates Her 16th Birthday

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: August 11, 2020 8:45 pm

Kimya prior to her birthday celebrations

Photo Credit: Adrian Mann/ Zoos SA

Adelaide Zoo has celebrated the 16th birthday of their giraffe Kimya. She was treated to a special cake made from hay and carrots with one for each year of her life.

“Kimya absolutely loves carrots so this is the best birthday treat for her,” said keeper Georgie Allan.

“Our giraffes eat a range of browse throughout the day and have regular enrichment to add excitement, carrots are a part of this,” said Georgie.

Kimya prior to her birthday celebrations

Photo Credit: Adrian Mann/ Zoos SA

Kimya has had a big year. After the loss of her giraffe friend she was due to move to Monarto Safari Park but she had other ideas and would not enter the transport trailer. Instead a new friend was brought to her in the form of Nolean, a 9 month old giraffe calf.

“Nolean is very confident and doesn’t mind getting up close to Kimya, including walking under her neck. Every now and then Kimya reminds her who is in charge but most of the time they are harmonious.”

“While the pair have been seen sitting together – a sign of being relaxed – they are also happy to spend time apart doing their own thing,” finished Georgie.

Recently the new dynamic duo have been given access to an extension to their enclosure which has doubled the size of their habitat. In to the future further expansions are planned which will turn their habitat in to Australia’s largest metropolitan zoo giraffe habitat.

Kimya prior to her birthday celebrations

Photo Credit: Adrian Mann/ Zoos SA

In captivity Kimya can be expected to live between 25 and 30 years so she will have many more birthdays to celebrate in the future.

Learn more about the giraffe – Giraffe Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about Adelaide Zoo on their website – Adelaide Zoo