We are excited to announce the arrival of a baby giraffe!

It's a girl! Come and see our new arrival.

The National Zoo & Aquarium are thrilled to announce the birth of a healthy baby female giraffe born to mum, Mzungu and dad, Shaba. The family of three can be seen on display in the zoo’s open range section.

“She has started to venture out into her enclosure with mum and is getting used to her surroundings. She’s very inquisitive and has been licking everything she can” said Senior Wildlife Keeper, Sophie Dentrinos.

Parents Shaba and Mzungu represent a true love story in the animal world. Both Shaba and Mzungu arrived at the National Zoo & Aquarium in 2015 and Mzungu fell pregnant with older sister, Kebibi within just two months. Kebibi was born at the National Zoo & Aquarium and is now residing at Australia Zoo.

The National Zoo & Aquarium is a part of the accredited international breeding program for giraffes, and this birth will prove of benefit to the continuation of their species.

“It had been a long wait for keepers and staff as it was a 15-month long pregnancy but we are so excited that she is finally here” said Dentrinos.

The addition of the calf brings the total number of giraffes at the National Zoo & Aquarium to four. Giraffe Treehouse guests at Jamala Wildlife Lodge meet and feed Humberkhali (Hummer), the bachelor giraffe from their balcony.

 The National Zoo & Aquarium will be holding a naming competition at the giraffe family enclosure during the ACT school holidays, starting this weekend. Visitors will be able to submit their suggestion of a name for the giraffe calf with a winner being chosen by zoo staff on Monday 22nd July. The winner will not only win bragging rights, but will also win a night at Jamala Wildlife Lodge.

Over the last 30 years it is estimated that the total population of giraffes has plummeted by 40% due to habitat loss and human destruction. With only approximately 111,000 giraffes remaining in the wild and the species as a whole now categorised as endangered, it is important to spread awareness and help save the giraffe from extinction.

The National Zoo & Aquarium celebrated World Giraffe Day on Friday 21st June, an initiative created by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation to draw awareness of the silent extinction that faces this species. As a continuation of this day, we encourage the community to visit the new calf at the Zoo and enjoy a coffee or hot chocolate with giraffe print sprinkled over the top. To assist the Giraffe Conservation Foundation in continuing their great conservation efforts, the National Zoo & Aquarium will be donating $6,000 plus donations left by visitors in tins around the Zoo.