San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Vote on name for new giraffe at Oakland Zoo
The Oakland Zoo has welcomed a 13-month-old male giraffe from Louisiana to its herd.
The 10-foot-tall giraffe, yet to be named, arrived at the zoo Tuesday night from Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans. The Zoo is allowing the public to vote on three Swahili options for the giraffe’s name: Enzi, which means powerful; Nuru, which means light; and Kovu, which means scar. People interested in submitting a vote can do so via the comments section on X, formerly Twitter. The winning name will be announced Monday. 13month-old male giraffe from Louisiana to its herd, officials announced Thursday.
The zoo was chosen as the giraffe’s next home through a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival plan, which zoo officials said helps “ensure the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse giraffe population.”
The addition of the young giraffe brings the total number of reticulated giraffes to six at the Oakland Zoo. They’re a rare species that get their name from their unique spot pattern. The zoo said that reticulated giraffe populations have suffered a 50% population decline over the past 31⁄2 decades due to illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss.
Due to the population loss, reticulated giraffes are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, which identifies threatened species around the world.
The giraffe is set to begin an adjustment period as he learns about his new home, according to zoo officials. He will have a chance to get to know the other giraffes at the zoo through a fence line, zoo officials said. Once the zoo determines he’s ready, he will move into the zoo’s giraffe habitat located in the African Savanna area.
“Having two giraffes close in age will provide a different dynamic to the herd,” the zoo said.
The zoo noted that the addition will provide a “more robust” social structure to its current herd, adding that giraffes are known for being highly social animals who maintain various relationships in their natural habitats. The ages of the current giraffes range from 1 to 12 years old, with Kendi being the youngest.
“He is a brave and bold giraffe who’s adjusting quite well,” said Amy Phelps, Oakland Zoo’s zoological manager. “We’re thrilled to get to know him and watch him develop a bond with his new herd at the Zoo.”