Reid Park Zoo announced that Penelope (“Penny”), one of its adult female reticulated giraffes, gave birth to a healthy male calf. At birth he tipped the scales at 180 pounds.
“The new calf was born at 4:10 p.m. on Monday, was standing a little over an hour after his birth and nursing shortly after that. That is exactly where we wanted him to be,” said Adam Ramsey, Director of Animal Care.
Penny and Jasiri, the zoo’s male giraffe and father of the yet-unnamed calf, are part of the Giraffe Species Survival Plan (SSP). This is the couple’s second offspring; their first foal, Moyo, moved to another zoo in 2025 as part of conservation recommendations to keep the population healthy. Keepers note the new calf’s coat borrows traits from both parents: a Jasiri‑like marking pattern with lighter centers reminiscent of Penny.
He doesn’t have a name yet…so what would you name him?See what some of our readers are suggesting on the KGUN 9 Facebook page:…