This summer has been a sweet one with three giraffe calves joining the herd. After Lucchese’s birth on May 7, the Fort Worth Zoo announced the births of the two more giraffe calves- meet Snickers and Jelly Bean!
Snickers: male
Birthday: July 1, 2021
Height at birth: 6 feet
Weight at birth: 145 pounds
Jelly Bean: female
Birthday: July 11, 2021
Height at birth: 5 feet, 5 inches
Weight at birth: 132 pounds
All three of our giraffe calves born this summer are reticulated giraffes, referring to the rectangular pattern on their coat. Reticulated giraffes are classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as an endangered species. The IUCN and Giraffe Conservation Foundation estimate that the giraffe population has decreased by 30 percent over the last 20 years in the wild, facing what many are calling a “silent extinction.” This dramatic depletion of the population has primarily been motivated by civil unrest, poaching and fragmentation of habitat.
The Zoo participates in a cooperative breeding program with other accredited zoos around the country to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse population of giraffes as a hedge against extinction. Since 2000, Fort Worth Zoo animal staff has facilitated the births of 26 giraffe calves, including Lucchese, Snickers and Jelly Bean.
Come visit the newest members of our giraffe herd roaming around African Savanna.
Click here to adopt one of our baby giraffes. Make it even sweeter by adopting both Jelly Bean and Snickers in the Sugar Rush Package!