Meet Azizi! Giraffe Calf at Adelaide Zoo Named

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: March 5, 2021 8:59 pm

Azizi the giraffe calf is bottle fed by a keeper at Adelaide Zoo

Photo Credit: Adrian Mann

Adelaide Zoo have announced the name of their seven week old giraffe calf who is currently being hand-reared by keepers. The calf was born at Monarto Safari Park and unfortunately his mother rejected him. As such he was transferred to Adelaide Zoo where they had the expertise and facilities to hand-rear the calf.

“Although this little one didn’t have the best start to life after being rejected by his mum we are really pleased to say that he is thriving,” says Director of Life Sciences, Dr Phil Ainsley.

“It’s still early days in terms of his development but he is gaining weight and height and we are very happy with how everything is going.

Azizi the giraffe calf in his enclosure at the Adelaide Zoo

Photo Credit: Adrian Mann

The name selected for the calf was Azizi. Keepers opened up the naming to a vote with the winning name receiving over 60% of the votes.

“Asking the public to choose a name for him from our list of four has been very well received with over 3,000 entrants. Clearly all our voters were on the same page as the winning name received over 60% of the votes,” says Phil.

Azizi came to Adelaide Zoo when he was just a few days old. Mother Scarlett gave birth to the calf at Monarto Safari Park on January 16th 2021. Unfortunately keepers soon realized the calf was not being feed sufficient milk or given the nutrients required to survive.

Following discussions about the welfare of the calf it was decided to move the calf to Adelaide Zoo to be hand-reared and provided round the clock care. A keeper for Monarto Safari Park also remained on site to help raise the calf.

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At Adelaide Zoo the calf has joined the herd with Kimya and Nolean. Visitors who have seen the trio since Azizi made his public debut last week compared them to Russian nesting dolls due to their size differences.

“He has bonded with both giraffes and the feeling appears to be mutual. We continue to monitor him closely but are hopeful that his future looks bright,” added Ainsley.

Since his arrival keepers have been providing bottle feeds to the calf and he has been gaining weight and height. Raising a giraffe takes dedication with the first feed taking place at 7am and the last 6.30pm each day.

The giraffe family at Adelaide Zoo made up of (from left) Azizi, Kimya and Nolean.

Photo Credit: Adrian Mann

Adelaide Zoo are currently expanding their giraffe habitat. Phase 1 has been completed with phase 2 set to expand the space to 2,500m² in the coming years. The new area will also provide views over the River Torrens and allow visitors walking or driving past to see the giraffes.

While giraffes may be popular in zoos they are facing what has been dubbed a ‘silent extinction’ in the wild. They are currently listed as vulnerable in the wild. These threats come from agriculture, hunting and human intrusion or disturbance.