A tall arrival:
Utah's Hogle Zoo welcomes a baby giraffe
Giraffe gives birth to a healthy male calf on February 7
Utah’s Hogle Zoo is excited to announce the birth of a male giraffe calf, born to mom Stephanie (6) and dad Ja (4). The newest addition to the herd arrived on February 7, 2025, at 8:45 p.m., weighing 169 pounds and standing 6 feet 2 inches tall. The calf already shows strong, healthy behaviors—walking, nursing, and staying close to mom.
In preparation for the birth, our team created a soft-landing area to support the calf’s natural six-foot drop into the world. The birth occurred in the African Savanna barn, where Animal Care staff monitored through security cameras and the natural process occurred as hoped without our intervention.
Stephanie and her calf will not be visible to guests until the spring, as they’re being given time to bond and adjust in a quiet, comfortable environment. The giraffe herd stays indoors during cooler months when temperatures are below 50 degrees, enjoying the African Savanna barn.
The calf is described by his care team as strong, brave, curious, and gregarious—often exploring new spaces before his mother and eagerly approaching keepers for his first health checkup, where he was weighed and had a blood draw.
This is Stephanie’s second calf, following Reyna, born in 2022. Now a more experienced mother, she confidently cares for her newborn—grooming, nursing, and keeping a watchful eye as he explores his surroundings. This birth also marks a milestone for Ja, as this is his first calf. He transferred from Memphis Zoo to Hogle Zoo in June 2022 on a breeding recommendation.
The rest of the herd shows great interest in their newest member, watching him curiously. The calf will soon meet a few select herd mates, including Minka, Reyna, and Bakari. Once he’s a little older, he’ll be introduced to his dad, Ja.
The birth of this calf marks an important step in protecting giraffes, a vulnerable species facing habitat loss, human population growth, and poaching. Found in Africa’s savannas, grasslands, and open woodlands, giraffes form loose, ever-shifting herds of 2 to 70 individuals. In 2016, their conservation status showed severe population declines, with about 117,000 remaining in their natural habitat. Hogle Zoo supports Save Giraffes Now, an organization dedicated to protecting giraffes by combating poaching and reducing human-giraffe conflict across Africa.
Stay tuned for more updates as this little one grows and takes his first steps onto the Savanna!
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Utah's Hogle Zoo
