Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Giraffe Calf Set to Make Public Debut

Guests can help name the giraffe and support wildlife conservation.

Guests visiting Cleveland Metroparks Zoo this weekend will have a chance to get their first look at the new male giraffe calf – born a week ago today – as he’s set to make his public debut this morning at the Zoo’s Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter. The calf is the newest addition to the Zoo’s giraffe herd and a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to conserve this vulnerable species.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo also announced that guests now have a chance to name the herd’s newest member by selecting from one of three names in support of the conservation of this vulnerable species in the wild. To participate in the naming opportunity, guests can cast their vote online at FutureForWildlife.org/GiraffeNaming for one of the following names: 

• Zane (means 'noble')
• Malik (means 'king')
• Albert (a reference to Lake Albert, located in Uganda) 

In addition to providing exemplary care for giraffe here in Cleveland, the Zoo is also committed to protecting them in the wild through its longtime support of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. Funds raised through the calf naming contest will go directly to this important conservation effort. The voting opportunity will conclude at the end of day on Tuesday, September 2.

The calf was born the morning of Friday, August 15, to 14-year-old mother Tuli, who came to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo from the Toledo Zoo last year. The father of the calf currently resides at the Toledo Zoo. Tuli has a special Cleveland connection—her mother, Elvira, was born at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in 2003. The calf is now part of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s herd that includes one additional male and three females.

“We’re excited to welcome this new addition to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and continue our commitment to the care and conservation of giraffes,” said Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Executive Director Chris Kuhar. “Every birth is an important step in driving awareness of the conservation issues facing the species, collectively working with our colleagues and partners on a global scale to save them from extinction.”

For more information, visit FutureForWildlife.org.

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