North American Masai Giraffe Population

Nile Hippo Expert said:
According to this PDF, https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Animal-Transaction-Commission-Report-April-2023.pdf a bull (doesn't specify which one) from Los Angeles was in fact loaned to the Columbus Zoo. Or maybe it's just saying that it will happen sometime in the next few months.
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It hasn't happened yet, or at least hadn't as of last weekend. Generally the LA Zoo mentions such loans in those reports in advance of any anticipated/recommended moves, at least that's been what I've noticed over the years as a member who pays attention to the reports. Some moves can take awhile or might never happen.

In the minutes for the April 2023 Commission meeting it states:

"Our young Male Giraffe is in conflict with his father and will be going to the Columbus Zoo and the other young male will be going to Oregon."

Based on that description, and in light of my conversation with one of the educators at the LA Zoo, James left for the Oregon Zoo earlier this month. "Shaq", the young male born in April 2022, must be the male slated to move to the Columbus Zoo.
 
Polar bear fan said:
No, they’re not pure bred and there are far too many the Rothschild’s x reticulated hybrids. It’s been mentioned before, just pop back a few pages.
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Then could somebody at least create a list for the ones held in Fort Worth and Gladys Porter? I've tried to but there are so many of them, so I can't quite figure out who is still there and who has moved to another zoo.
 
Have any zoos switched from keeping Masai giraffes to generic giraffes somewhat recently?

I am not completely certain about the details of the conversation, but remember that I spoke to someone (I thought it was at the Detroit Zoo in 2018) who said that their facility was done holding Masai giraffes and would instead hold reticulated giraffes because Masai giraffes are more prone to injuries and diseases. Obviously, those reticulated giraffes would've actually been generic. I now know that the SSP has the goal of expanding the Masai giraffe population, which means that zoos will eventually acquire them and phase-out generic giraffes.

Looking at articles from 2014, there were generic giraffes in Detroit. Because of this, I'm assuming I am thinking of another facility I visited.
 
wild boar said:
Have any zoos switched from keeping Masai giraffes to generic giraffes somewhat recently?

I am not completely certain about the details of the conversation, but remember that I spoke to someone (I thought it was at the Detroit Zoo in 2018) who said that their facility was done holding Masai giraffes and would instead hold reticulated giraffes because Masai giraffes are more prone to injuries and diseases. Obviously, those reticulated giraffes would've actually been generic. I now know that the SSP has the goal of expanding the Masai giraffe population, which means that zoos will eventually acquire them and phase-out generic giraffes.

Looking at articles from 2014, there were generic giraffes in Detroit. Because of this, I'm assuming I am thinking of another facility I visited.
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You are likely thinking of Toledo.
 
 
IndianRhino said:
Fresno - a male calf was born sometime in May to first-time parents, Fenny and Siku. Unfortunately, the calf is being bottle-fed due to some complications at birth but he is doing well and is growing rapidly!
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Two brand new parents! Great news for the population indeed! Fingers crossed he doesn't get unlucky like a few other captive Masai Giraffes born with birth complications and survives successfully into adulthood. I believe there was one born at Santa Barbara that died this way recently after recovering.
 
wild boar said:
Two-and-a-half years-old Alika at the Franklin Park Zoo is being relocated to an unstated facility. I learned this on the zoo's Facebook page.

From Facebook:
"Not-so-little Alika is moving to a new home next week, based on a recommendation based on the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Giraffe Species Survival Plan (SSP)."
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Alika has been transferred to Kansas City Zoo in order to breed with their male, Aidan.

Kansas City Zoo on Instagram: "Happy #WorldGiraffeDay! To kick off this conservation holiday, we first want to introduce a special new resident to the Zoo: Alika! This Masai giraffe recently transferred from the Franklin Park Zoo as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s (AZA) Species Survival Plan. Alika will be turning 2 in September and is almost as tall as 4-year-old Chandy! This growing girl has already met Mahali (who will be 29 in July!) and Chandy, and in the next week she will also be introduced to Makali and Aidan, our other new giraffe resident! While Alika is not viewable to visitors yet, we will be sure to update you on social media when she makes her public debut! All of our amazing giraffes are ambassadors for their wild counterparts, who are unfortunately facing a “silent extinction.” Giraffe populations have decreased by 30 percent in the past 35 years. The Masai giraffe, which is the species you’ll find at the Zoo, is now listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to threats such as habitat loss and poaching. The AZA community is working with conservation partners to help ensure a future for wild giraffes. These collaborations include direct conservation action, education, scientific research, public awareness, and bringing the animal care skills of the zoo community to support conservation! #standtallforgiraffe Photos by Katie, animal care manager"
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Zoofan15 said:
Zeke’s parents (Dane and Penelope) are expecting again at Cameron Park Zoo - calf due June/July 2023.
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Cameron Park - Penelope gave birth to a healthy female calf on June 23rd. This is Dane and Penelope’s second calf after Zeke in January 2021, who was recently transferred to Cincinnati Zoo.

Cameron Park Zoo on Instagram: "Cameron Park Zoo is excited to announce the birth of a female Masai giraffe who was born at the zoo on Friday, June 23 at 5:10 am. She is 6 ft. 7 inches tall and weighs 156 pounds. Her mom, Penelope, was born on May 9, 2013, and came to Cameron Park Zoo from the San Diego Zoo. Her dad, Dane, was born on April 18, 2013 and came from the Santa Barbara Zoo. The birth of this calf is important to her species as the Masai giraffes are currently endangered, and is the second calf born to this pair at Cameron Park Zoo. The Cameron Park Zoological & Botanical Society is holding a naming contest for this little lady beginning June 27, 2023 through July 9, 2023. Name choices are Adelaide (kind/noble), Kalani (royal/majesty), Kira (throne), and Zuri (beautiful). Each participant will pay $5 per vote to help choose a name. The funds raised from the contest will go to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. The Masai giraffe is the largest species of giraffe and can be found in Central and Southern Kenya, as well as in Tanzania. They are known for their distinct and irregular star-like blotches that extend to their hooves. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the global authority on the conservation status of wild animals and plants, lists Masai giraffes as endangered, primarily due to poaching and habitat fragmentation. This new calf’s birth was based on a SSP (Species Survival Plan) breeding recommendation, which was given to help maintain a genetically diverse and self-sustaining population of a particular species under professional care. For more information about the Cameron Park Zoo and the Zoological & Botanical Society and to vote on the name, use the link in our Bio."
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