Columbus Zoo Welcomes Second Giraffe Calf This Year

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: September 4, 2020 10:55 am

A giraffe calf has been born at the Columbus Zoo

Photo Credit: The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio, USA is celebrating double baby joy with a second Masai giraffe calf arriving in their heart of Africa enclosure. The female calf was born on August 27th 2020 at 7.48pm to mother Jana.

Jana gave birth in the giraffe barn under the watchful eye of the animal care team who could observe the birth through a mounted camera in the barn. Shortly after the birth the calf was standing and by the next morning was already testing out her zoomies skills.

This calf joins a second male calf born to mother Zuri on June 28th. Both calves are currently unnamed.

Recently Zuris calf has started to appear on exhibit. Jana and her calf are currently bonding off display in the giraffe barn.

“These births are extremely significant, as these calves play a huge role in protecting the future of the endangered Masai giraffe. With the increasing challenges that Masai giraffes continue to face in their native range, it’s more important than ever to do our part to help them. I am incredibly proud of our team for their expertise, care, contributions made to the zoological community, and the wonderful experiences they provide to our supportive community as together we remain committed to the conservation of wildlife around the globe,” said Columbus Zoo and Aquarium President/CEO Tom Stalf.

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A giraffe calf has been born at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Photo Credit: The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The calves are half-siblings sharing the same father in 10 year old Enzi. He moved to Columbus Zoo from the Wilds which is also in Ohio.

These births bring the number of giraffe calves bred at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium up to 19.

Zuri and Jana were recommended to breed with Enzi as part of the Species Survival Plan® (SSP), a program coordinated by the AZA to maintain genetic diversity of threatened and endangered species in human care.

Columbus Zoo and Aquairum provide funds to help support conservation of the Masai giraffe in the wild. They are endangered due to habitat loss, civil unrest/military operations, poaching and ecological changes. These factors have contributed to a 50% decline in their numbers over the last 3 decades.

The zoo also operate the giraffe plasma bank which is a vital resource in maintaining the health of giraffes in managed care. The plasma is used in transfusions which can provide a life-saving boost to the immune system of young giraffes.

Learn more about giraffes here – Giraffe Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on their website – Columbus Zoo and Aquarium