Endangered Baby Giraffe Born at Ohio Zoo

The male Masai giraffe calf was welcomed by 15-year-old mom Zuri and 6-year-old dad Bobbie at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 12:30am

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A male Masai giraffe calf was born at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on March 10, 2026. The newborn is the offspring of 15-year-old mom Zuri and 6-year-old dad Bobbie. Masai giraffes are listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Why it matters

The birth of this endangered Masai giraffe calf at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is an important conservation milestone, as the species faces threats in the wild. The zoo's successful breeding program contributes to the preservation of this vulnerable giraffe population.

The details

The male Masai giraffe calf was born in the Zoo's Heart of Africa region. Zuri, an experienced mom, is settling in well with her new calf. The newborn was standing, taking early steps, and beginning to nurse shortly after birth. The zoo's Animal Care and Conservation Medicine teams are closely monitoring both the calf and Zuri.

  • The calf was born on March 10, 2026 at 6:16 p.m. local time.

The players

Zuri

A 15-year-old female Masai giraffe and the mother of the newborn calf.

Bobbie

A 6-year-old male Masai giraffe and the father of the newborn calf.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Ohio-based zoo where the endangered Masai giraffe calf was born.

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What they’re saying

“Welcoming a giraffe calf reflects the care, expertise and collaboration that guide our work every day. This birth is a testament to the dedication of our teams and our shared commitment to protecting Masai giraffes for the future.”

— Tom Schmid, President and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

What’s next

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium plans to share updates on calf viewing, naming, development and herd introductions in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The birth of this endangered Masai giraffe calf at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is an important conservation success story, highlighting the zoo's dedication to protecting vulnerable giraffe populations through its breeding program and animal care efforts.