New Giraffe Born at the Zoo
November, 2003

On October 31, 2003, the Milwaukee County Zoo's nineteen-year-old giraffe, Malindi, gave birth to a male calf, her seventh.

At birth, the calf weighed 112 pounds and stood five feet, seven inches tall. As of November 5, the calf weighed 122 pounds, and was on indoor exhibit, nursing from Malindi.

The Zoo's only male giraffe, Kio, died in August 2002. Because the three remaining giraffes are given contraceptive food pellets, Zoo staff were unaware of the pregnancy. The gestation period for giraffes is 15 months.

The new giraffe has been named Mark, in recognition of one of the giraffe zookeepers' sons. It is most likely that Mark will remain at the Zoo for at least a-year-and-a-half and then be placed at another AZA (American Zoo and Aquarium Association) accredited institution.

Currently, the Zoo is also home to three female giraffes: Malindi, Rahna and Rosza.

- Return to Zoo News -