Maasai Giraffe-Talking points
Giraffe General Info: There are 9 subspecies of giraffe, all found in Africa. They are listed as
“Least Concern” by the IUCN, but overall there is a general decline in their numbers from
habitat loss and poaching which could mean they could be listed at a higher threat level in the
near future. Generally, all subspecies are found south of the equator/deserts in arid/drySavannah, sub-Saharan habitats. They are strict herbivores, eating leaves off of trees. They are
adapted with long necks and legs to reach the leaves on the highest parts of trees, such as Acacia.
Because of that, they are the tallest animals in the world (average 15-19ft.) . However, they have
the same -amount of neck bones as us---just 7! They have ossicones, not horns, on the top of
their head, which are described as “hollow bony deposits”. Scientists don’t know exactly what all
they are used for, but think they use them to help break branches to get food, use them in
fighting, and the males use them to test the reproductive status of females. On average, they live
14 years in the wild, but up to 25 in captivity. They have a 14-15-month gestation period for
newborn calves, and give birth standing up. The 6-foot drop to the ground forces the baby to take
a breath, essentially “dropping” them into life! Baby giraffes have a 50-75% mortality rate in the
wild. An adult giraffe’s kick can kill a lion, so they can defend themselves. Their tongues are a
black-blue color to protect them from the sun, and reach lengths of up to 18 inches!
Maasai Giraffes:
---Found in Central and Southern Kenya and south into Tanzania, with a small population in
Rwanda
---Tallest of the subspecies of Giraffe, reaching 18-19 feet
---According to recent reports, this is the most populous subspecies, with wild numbers around
40,000 individuals. There are around 100 individuals in Zoos
---Can tell them apart from other subspecies due to characteristic pattern spots with jagged edges
as well as a much darker color than other subspecies (Maasai is the bottom right)
Classification
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Giraffidae
Genus: Giraffa
Species: camelopardalis
Subspecies: tippelskirchi
Our giraffes:
Our Giraffe Ridge exhibit was built in 2008 and featured 5 young giraffes, including Tessa and
Kimba. Giraffe Ridge was remodeled last year to feature a new viewing deck and expanded yard,
so if you get people asking about what is different, you know what to say! Our current giraffe
lineup includes one male (Kimba) and four females. Generally, you can only keep one male with
multiple females otherwise the males will constantly fight for dominance. We have had 2
giraffes born in recent years, but we were the first Zoo to breed giraffes in captivity!
Name: “Kimbaumbau” (Kimba for short)- means “Tall Lanky Person”
DOB: July 24,2007 (6 years old)
Born at: Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence Rhode Island (came in 2008)
Height: Approx. 16 ½-17 feet, the tallest of all our giraffes
Weight: Roughly 2,000lbs (subject to change)
How to tell him apart: Kimba has a cross on his chest, as shown above. He is also the tallest of all of our
giraffes
Notes: Very consistent eater during feedings. He will be outside either alone or with Tessa and Lulu, as
of March 2014. He is approved to breed with Cece and Jambo as well, so reintroductions may happen
during this season with them.
Name: “Tessa”
DOB: Aug 8,2006 (7 years old, our oldest giraffe)
Born at: Houston Zoo (came in 2008)
Height: Approx. 15 feet
Weight: 1,660 lbs (subject to change)
How to tell her apart: Besides looking very “girly”, Tessa has a pie-shape or an asterisk on her chest
Notes: Tessa is pregnant with her third calf with Kimba! Read our official press release:
http://cincinnatizoo.org/blog/2014/03/11/cincinnati-zoo-giraffe-expecting-again/
We will have volunteers monitoring Tessa around the clock on baby watch. We have prepared the
birthing stall with extra padding and hay to prepare for the baby. They give birth standing up, and the 6foot drop forces the calf to take a breath. Within the first 2 hours, the baby should be able to stand up
on its own and will nurse for the first time shortly after. Baby giraffes typically stand around 6 feet tall
and weight 125 lbs.
Tessa and Kimba’s first calf Zuri (DOB: 04/02/2011) unfortunately passed away at 3 months old after
breaking her leg. It was an unfortunate accident and no one knows how it happened. Guests will ask
about her, as they often confuse Lulu with Zuri. It is best to be vague, but always try to put a positive
spin on it. Baby giraffes have a 50-75% mortality rate in the wild, so it wasn’t an uncommon occurrence.
Lulu has done great, so saying things like “Her sister is thriving” is a good way to bring the conversation
back to our current giraffes.
Name: “Lulu”
DOB: Oct 12,2012 (1 year old)
Born at: Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
Height: Approx. 12-13 feet tall
Weight: Probably close to 1,000 lbs (will be updated)
How to tell her apart: Her chest pattern is hard to discern, so it’s best to go by her height. She is the
shortest of all of the giraffes. She also has abnormally long ossicone hair. She also has a heart on her
neck.
Notes: Daughter of Tessa and Kimba. Lulu is too short for giraffe feedings, so she does not participate.
This spring, Lulu will be moving to her new family at The Wilds in Cumberland, OH (near Columbus).
While she will definitely be missed by both visitors and staff here at the Cincinnati Zoo, this move takes
her long-term health and happiness into consideration, which is our top priority. Often, the best match
for breeding requires an animal to move to another zoo, a recommendation that is taken very seriously.
Sometimes moves are not about breeding, but to meet the social needs of the animal as well. These
moves and breeding recommendations are made to preserve a species’ genetic diversity as well as to
keep the population stable. Inter-zoo moves like this are guided by the scientists at the Association for
Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Population Management Center. The PMC works closely with accredited
Zoos in North America, creating Species Survival Plans (SSP) for roughly 340 species. The AZA is
responsible for accrediting North American Zoos and Aquariums to the highest animal-care standards.
It is also important to note that Lulu is at the age where she would be gaining independence from her
mother in the wild. Make sure to tell guests that The Wilds is only a short trip from Cincinnati (think day
trip!) and that Cincinnati Zoo Members receive 50% off admission at the Wilds.
Name: “Jambo” which means “Hello”; common African-language greeting
DOB: June 2011 (2.5 years)
Born at: Louisville Zoo in Louisville, KY
Height: Approx. 14 feet
Weight: Close to 1200 lbs (will be updated)
How to tell her apart: Jambo and Cece are around the same height, being the “middle-sized” giraffes.
Most of your time will be spent telling them apart. Jambo has a “six-pack” or “tortoiseshell” on her
chest, as well as “messy” ossicone hair.
Notes: Jambo is newer to giraffe feedings, so she is still learning but is overall consistent and very
tolerant. She is still growing, so she cannot reach over the top of the railing just yet, so guests must feed
her through the fence.
Name: “Cece”
DOB: Feb 2, 2011 (3 years)
Born at: Kansas City Zoo in Kansas City, Missouri
Height: Approx. 14 feet
Weight: Close to 1200 lbs (will be updated)
How to tell her apart: Jambo and Cece are around the same height, being the “middle-sized” giraffes.
Most of your time will be spent telling them apart. Cece has a large spot in the center of her chest, as
well as a “C” (for Cece, convenient!), on the right side of her chest. Her ossicone hair is much more flat
and neat than Jambo’s.
Notes: Cece is newer to giraffe feedings, so she is still learning. She is more wary than Jambo, and is
more likely to walk away in the middle of a feeding. She is still growing, so she cannot reach over the top
of the railing just yet, so guests must feed her through the fence.
Additional readings
IUCN Redlist info: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/summary/9194/0
Encyclopedia of Life: http://eol.org/pages/4446008/overview
Giraffe Conservation Foundation: http://www.giraffeconservation.org/giraffe_facts.php?pgid=6