Mission Statement
Indianapolis Zoo
1200 W. Washington St. P.O. Box 22309 Indianapolis, IN 46222.0309
The Indianapolis
Zoo empowers
people and
communities, both
locally and globally,
to advance animal
conservation.
317.630.2001 ph
317.630.5153 fx
NEWS RELEASE
Dec. 11, 2013
Contact: Carla Knapp
Public Relations Specialist
317-630-3257
[email protected]
indianapoliszoo.com
Young Giraffe is Newest Addition to Zoo’s Plains Exhibit
3-year-old Majani comes to Indianapolis from California
INDIANAPOLIS – The newest addition to the Indianapolis Zoo’s Plains Area will certainly make a
sizeable impression on guests when he goes on exhibit in the spring.
Majani (pronounced mah-JAH-nee) is a 3-year-old male reticulated giraffe. He was born March 11,
2010, at The Living Desert in Palm Desert, Calif., and came to the Indianapolis Zoo in mid-October.
Following a standard 30-day quarantine, which is a precautionary measure that applies to all
newly acquired animals, Majani is now becoming acquainted with the rest of the Zoo’s herd.
The newcomer, who was named for the Swahili word meaning “grass,” joins a herd that also
includes two females, Takasa (tah-KAH-sah) and Ajabusana (ah-JHAA-buw-sah-nah, also called
“AJ”). Zookeepers are hopeful that, in the future, Majani will contribute to the Indianapolis Zoo’s
active breeding program, which is part of the Species Survival Plan managed through the
Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Majani already stands more than 12 feet tall. Although the young male is still noticeably smaller
than the Zoo’s female giraffes, male reticulated giraffes can reach 15-18 feet tall, roughly 3 feet
taller than females, on average.
Zookeepers describe Majani as very shy, but they’re hopeful his personality will warm up during
the next few months as he and the other giraffes spend the winter off exhibit in a temperaturecontrolled facility. Guests will likely get their first opportunity to meet Majani in the spring, and
keepers are hopeful the young giraffe will also start participating in public feeds at that time. The
giraffe exhibit and giraffe feedings are presented by Meijer.
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About the Indianapolis Zoo
Located in White River State Park downtown, the Indianapolis Zoo is accredited by the Association
of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Association of Museums as a zoo, aquarium and
botanical garden. The Indianapolis Zoo empowers people and communities, both locally and
globally, to advance animal conservation.