Giraffes join Safari Niagara
There are two new faces at Safari Niagara.
Staff recently welcomed two reticulated giraffes to the 60-hectare nature park nestled in the heart of Stevensville.
The giraffe yearlings, Moses and Ziphora, arrived from a zoological facility in the U.S., and are now enjoying their new enclosure at the zoo on Stevensville Road.
“(Staff at the zoo) are very excited,” said Andrea Bouw, a marketing manager for Safari Niagara.
The two giraffes are a welcome addition after Noah, a 17-year-old giraffe, died after he suffered a brain aneurysm last January, leaving behind his companion, Rainbow.
“Rainbow is excited, and we’re all excited to have them together,” Bouw said.
Clearance has been given to Safari Niagara to allow Ziphora and Moses full access within the giraffe house.
The reticulated giraffe, also known as the Somali giraffe, is a species native to Somalia, southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya. There are about 8,660 living in the wild.
Bouw said the pair are spending time getting to know Rainbow, a 14-year-old reticulated giraffe.
Members of the public are asked for patience and understanding as the giraffes may not be featured in Safari Niagara’s main exhibit while they adjust to their environment. While the giraffes get to know each other, and “acclimate to their new setting,” stimuli can be an overwhelming experience for the sensitive species.
“At this time, the giraffes will be viewable, but they will not be available to be fed by the public,” Bouw said.
Guests are encouraged to observe the animals from a distance as all three giraffes will be held in the paddock near the zoo’s barn.
“The public has been very excited. As they are leaving, they are coming back to the admissions gate and commenting to staff how they got the chance to see them and how cute they are,” Bouw said.