This World Giraffe Day, Monarto Zoo is celebrating their contribution to the breeding program working to save the world’s tallest mammal from extinction.
To coincide with the day, the zoo has announced the names of their latest additions – two adorable two-month-old giraffe boys.
After a public voting competition, Myeisha’s calf has been named Thando, meaning love in Zulu, while Kinky’s son has been named Mabuti, meaning boots in Swahili.
The adorable duo are the 40th and 41st calves to be born at Monarto Zoo, making it the most successful giraffe breeding facility in Australasia.
Classified as vulnerable to extinction in the wild, the two little boys mark an important contribution to the breeding program working to secure a future for the world’s tallest animal, which is facing an uncertain future in the wild.
Habitat loss, poaching and civil unrest has seen giraffe numbers plummet from around 155,000 in 1985 to just 97,000 in 2015, which equates to a decline of almost 40 per cent over three giraffe generations.
This devastating decline saw the giraffe reclassified as vulnerable to extinction last year by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
There are now fewer giraffe in the wild than African Elephants.
As a conservation charity, Zoos SA is committed to continuing their successful breeding program to ensure generations to come can enjoy the wonder of these tall, gentle creatures.
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