News Release

April 6, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sondra Katzen
Public Relations
708.688.8351
sondra.katzen@czs.org

Note: Images of the giraffes are available at www.CZS.org/PressRoom.

Giraffes at Brookfield Zoo Enjoy Spring Weather

Brookfield, Ill.—You know it is officially spring at Brookfield Zoo when the giraffes go out for the first time following the winter season. With the warmer constant temperatures, the zoo’s giraffe herd was given access to their outdoor environment at the Habitat Africa! The Savannah exhibit. The annual event is always exciting to witness as the giraffes gracefully run around stretching their legs and necks.

The herd includes Mithra, a 20-year-old female; Franny, a 19-year-old female and her 4-year-old daughter, Arnieta; Jasiri, a 6-year-old female; and Hasani, a 2½-year-old male who arrived last year at Brookfield Zoo on a breeding loan from Lee Richardson Zoo, Kansas.

The females were given access first to let them get reacquainted with their outdoor habitat. The two youngest giraffes, Jasari and Arnieta, seemed happy to be outside and able to run around. Franny did feel the urge to run and Mithra, the oldest in the herd, did not come out right away. Because this is Hasani’s first opportunity to explore the outdoor exhibit at Brookfield Zoo, keepers want to make sure the females have settled in before he is given access, which will most likely be in a day or two.

Reticulated giraffes’ are native to northeast Kenya in Africa, so the outdoor temperature at the zoo needs to be at least 45-50°F for them to have access outside. (During the winter months, visitors can see them indoors.)




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