UPDATE: Click here to vote for your favorite Swahili name for the baby giraffe!
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Loads of cuteness coming your way!
The Phoenix Zoo welcomed a female baby Masai (pronounced Muh-sigh) giraffe on Tuesday, June 26 (one week ago today). She is being extremely well cared for by her very protective mother, Imara.
Imara and the baby will remain in the giraffe barn until the calf is old enough to be introduced to other animals and go out on the Savanna.
Imara is a seven-year-old Masai giraffe and arrived at the Zoo in 2012 as recommended by the Masai Giraffe Species Survival Plan to breed with our nine-year-old male Masai giraffe, Miguu (pronounced Mee-goo). Miguu came to Phoenix in 2010 from the Los Angeles Zoo.
This is the Zoo’s second giraffe birth in the past year. Siku, a female Masai giraffe, was born last September to mom, Sunshine.
The calf does not yet have a name and is spending time bonding with mom in the giraffe barn, an off-exhibit area. It will be a few weeks before mom and baby are strolling the Savanna habitat and can be seen by guests, but we will be sure to post frequent updates about the baby on our social media channels and when to expect them to make an appearance.
Oh, and by the way… We will be hosting a baby NAMING CONTEST and details about that will be revealed next week!