It’s been a long-awaited, tall order, but the Chattanooga Zoo now features giraffes, as part of a program that aims to save the endangered species.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0OlXHwrVBg&feature=youtu.be

🦒 About the giraffes

Three, male reticulated giraffes arrived from the Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, where they all lived in a herd together.

They are:

○ George, 5 years old

○ Porter, 2 years old

○ Hardee Star, age 17 months

Reticulated giraffes are a subspecies of giraffe native to the Horn of Africa. They have a relatively small range in northern and north-eastern Kenya and small populations in southern areas of Somalia and Ethiopia.

Fast facts

○ 15,780: reticulated giraffes remain in the wild

○ They are an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

○ Reticulated giraffes are threatened by habitat deconstruction and poaching, according to the Chattanooga Zoo.

🦒 About the survival plan

○ The species survival plan — or SSP — is part of a cooperative breeding program done with other facilities that — like the Chattanooga Zoo — are a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

○ The local zoo and the animals are a part of a Giraffe Species Survival Plan program.

○ The goal is to maintain populations that are sustainable, healthy + genetically diverse.

○ Some animals in the programs are reintroduced into the wild and others are used for breeding to help increase the overall population.

○ The Chattanooga Zoo took three males that were available as part of the program with hopes that, in the future, they can be part of breeding programs.

🦒 How to see the giraffes

○ As of Tuesday, the Chattanooga Zoo’s giraffe herd can be viewed by the public inside the

newly constructed giraffe barn or in their outdoor yard.

○ Because of their flighty nature and that they are still settling into their new home, zoo staff will be monitoring the giraffes closely and will make changes to our public viewing as needed.

○ You can get your tickets online to see the new members of the Chattanooga Zoo family.