Columbus Zoo welcomes 2nd Masai giraffe calf – and this time, it’s a girl
There are an estimated 8.7 million species of animals on Earth, according to PLoS Biology. Of these species, over 16,000 of them are on the endangered species list and, sadly, face extinction. One of these animal species is the Masai giraffe, which has only 35,000 remaining in the species’ native East Africa or in captivity.
A recent birth has given hope to the survival of the species and is being celebrated at the zoo where it occurred.
A new calf is born
Zoo officials are hailing the birth of a calf to a pair of Masai giraffes living at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Columbus, Ohio. The parents are mother Jana, 19, and dad Enzi, 10. While currently unnamed, the calf started standing quickly after birth.
The calf is the second born at the zoo this year.
One of many giraffe calves born at the zoo
The calf, which is a girl, is the seventh surviving calf that Jana has birthed. Originally born at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Jana first lived at Zoo New England before coming to the Columbus Zoo in 2017. The father, Enzi, originally lived at The Wilds and the Toledo Zoo before moving to the Columbus Zoo in 2013.
“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,” Columbus Zoo and Aquarium President and CEO Tom Stalf said in a press release on the zoo’s Website.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
In all, 19 calves have been born at the zoo since its founding in 1927. The zoo uses realistic habitats to house the animals living there, a move initiated by famed zookeeper Jack Hana, who served as the zoo’s executive director for 14 years.
Doing the ‘zoomies’
The calf even had an opportunity to run around, and its “zoomies” were caught on camera, though no footage was available. Fortunately, the zoo is home to more than one giraffe mother and zoo staff were able to catch the calf of the mother, named Zuri, performing his own set of zoomies.
The zoo shared the adorable video of Zuri’s calf on its Facebook page with the caption:
“On your mark, get set … ZOOMIES!!! You asked, and we listened! Zuri’s calf has been seen doing zoomies around the giraffe barn and fortunately for all of you, the Animal Care team caught this little one in action!
“Zuri and her male calf, who has not yet been named, can be viewed in the Heart of Africa at varying times throughout the day. Currently, there is no set viewing schedule for this energetic Masai giraffe calf, as their appearance in the yard is determined by Zuri and her calf. Be on the lookout for more updates about Zuri and her calf, as well as Jana and her female giraffe calf, as they become available! 🦒”
Masai giraffe
When fully grown, a Masai giraffe can reach 17 feet in height, making it the tallest land animal on Earth. Unfortunately, this majestic species of giraffe is currently on the endangered species list. Their numbers have gone down due to poaching and the low survivability of calves within protected areas.
That is why the birth of a second Masai giraffe calf at the Columbus Zoo is such a big deal. For more of this fascinating animal, you can watch the video of Zuri’s calf doing his zoomies in the video below.
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