Are there giraffes at columbus zoo

Both calves made their public debut this summer and continue to be doing well. This week, the calves also officially received their names! Wildlife conservation is always complex because of the many challenges that these species face, and I am extremely proud of the contributions that the Columbus Zoo team continues to provide to the scientific community as we work together toward solutions to help endangered species.

In , the International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN listed the Masai giraffe subspecies as endangered as the population has fallen by nearly 50 percent over the last three decades. Additionally, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado are the co-founders of the giraffe plasma bank and, along with several other collaborating zoos, work to consistently collect large volumes of plasma from giraffes to send to animals in need of a transfusion.

Collection of the plasma is the result of the hard work and dedication of the Animal Care and Animal Health teams who have trained members of the giraffe herd to participate in these large volume blood collections completely awake and voluntarily. There, Digi and her calf have been provided access to multiple behind-the-scenes areas to explore, as well as opportunities to gradually meet other members of the giraffe herd, including Zuri, Jana and their calves.

Home to more than 10, animals representing over species from around the globe, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads and inspires by connecting people and wildlife. In , Masai giraffes, the largest giraffe subspecies, were declared endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

All giraffes are considered vulnerable, and baby giraffes are especially fragile and at-risk. The Wilds, a 10,acre conservation park the zoo operates near Cumberland, about 80 miles east of Columbus, also welcomed a male Masai giraffe calf on Aug. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recommends breeding pairs for endangered species. Using Species Survival Plans, coordinators like Horiszny track the genetic history of animals and recommend the best mates. Ultimately, the goal is to maintain genetic diversity, which keeps animals healthy.

The plans also reduce the need to enhance family trees with genes from wild animals. Facebook Twitter Email. A 'Christmas miracle:' Columbus Zoo's 3 giraffe calves a rare feat. The pair will remain behind-the-scenes until the calf is older. The siamang baby was the first born of the bunch — on May 29, to nearly year-old mother Olga and year-old father Rashid.

The two red panda cubs, a male and a female, were born June 13 to 2-year-old mother Kora and 7-year-old father Gen Tso. Both are first-time parents. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums , a nonprofit group of more than accredited institutions in the U.