EARLY CLOSURE
The zoo will close early at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 28, 2024, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Baby Giraffe
New baby giraffe has arrived!
HAVE YOU HERD?
Meet Hasani
Baby giraffe born May 2, 2019 has a name!
Hasani (hah-SAW-nee), which means “handsome” in Swahili, was the name of the baby’s paternal grandfather. The name was chosen by zoo staff—a fitting name for our beautiful calf who has already stolen hearts across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
A week ago, Woodland Park Zoo’s exhibits team constructed therapeutic shoes on a trial basis for the baby giraffe. Meanwhile, the zoo’s veterinary team consulted with a Kentucky-based equine veterinarian who specializes in foot conditions. He visited the zoo to evaluate the calf, and crafted new custom shoes based on the zoo’s specifications. He modified a design that he has used to successfully treat numerous foals with the same condition. The shoes will do the heavy lifting in the next phase of treatment of the baby’s rear leg abnormalities.
Follow Hasani's story on our blog
Read more about the birth on our blog
Read more about the pregnancy on our blog
CityStream: Help for Hasani the Giraffe
Giraffe Updates
May 31, 2019
A couple of weeks ago, our baby male giraffe, Hasani got a new pair of custom shoes to treat congenital rear leg abnormalities. Because of significant improvements, the giraffe is now shoe-free.
The baby giraffe continues to wear kinesiology tape to help stimulate and support his leg muscles.
Learn more on our blog
May 7, 2019
Woodland Park Zoo’s baby male giraffe has been outfitted with custom-made therapeutic shoes in the next phase of treatment of his rear leg abnormalities.
After consultations of medical literature and colleagues at other zoos, the zoo’s exhibits team was called in to help. The talented team of exhibit artists specially crafted two-piece shoes made of high density polyethylene and plywood with grooves for better adhesion to the foot and for better traction.
Learn more on our blog
May 3, 2019
On May 2, 2019, giraffe Olivia gave birth to a male giraffe. Less than 12 hours after his birth, the animal health team intervened to radiograph and diagnose abnormalities in his rear legs.
Mom and her baby will remain off view in the barn for an indefinite period and to allow continued maternal bonding and nursing in a cozy, private setting.
Learn more on our blog
GROWING UP GIRAFFE
Did You Know?
- The average gestation period for giraffe is approximately 15 months!
- At birth, the calf will already be 6 feet tall. That’s one tall baby.
- Baby giraffes don’t stay tiny (relatively speaking) for long, the baby will nearly double their height in the first year!
- A giraffe calf will nurse for about 9-12 months, but at 4 months it will begin to nibble on leaves too.
- When a giraffe is born, its horn-like ossicones lay flat on its head, but a few days later you’ll see them begin to prop up.
Lulu was born in 2017
Misawa was born in 2013
CONSERVATION CONNECTION
Giraffe Conservation Foundation
Photo Credit: Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF)
Every visit to the zoo supports and contributes directly to conservation projects like the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF)—the only NGO in the world that concentrates solely on the conservation and management of giraffe in the wild throughout Africa. With your support, giraffes like the eight calves who were born in Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda just this last year have a better chance at survival when their habitat is protected. Giraffe went locally extinct in that area over 100 years ago. In 2015, 15 giraffe were reintroduced to the park and now there are 23! This little herd might live 10,000 miles away, but when you visit Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, you are directly supporting them and a future for all giraffe species.
Throughout their African range, giraffes contribute to conserving the habitat for the other animals they share the landscape with. They’re considered landscape changers because they feed at heights that no other animals can reach, spreading seeds and pollinating trees. Giraffes are at risk of extinction with some subspecies now listed as 'critically endangered' for the first time—let’s work together to keep this species around.
TAKE ACTION
BECOME A MEMBER
Support your zoo and all the animals by becoming a member. Your membership directly benefits conservation projects and funds the care of giraffes, hippos, tigers and toucans!
Become a member today
SHARE THE LOVE
Tag your bestie on our social media stories about Olivia, or share this page with your friends. The more folks are aware of stories like Olivia’s the more they will fall in love with giraffes like you already have—and the more they love them, the more they will be willing to stick their necks out on behalf of giraffes everywhere.
Share with your friends
BECOME A ZOOPARENT
Adopt a giraffe to celebrate! Celebrate Olivia's pregnancy with a soft, cuddly giraffe plush with a mission for conservation. This little cutie will remind you that you are committed to a future where giraffes are thriving. ZooParent adoptions start at $50.
Adopt a giraffe
Make a Gift
It costs $65 per day to provide a nutritious diet and personalized veterinary medicine for a baby giraffe. Every dollar you give is an important investment in the well-being of this adorable new addition!
Help ensure this baby grows up healthy and strong in a world where giraffes have a future.
DONATE NOW