The reticulated giraffe born at Tucson’s Reid Park Zoo on February 23 is already a beloved addition to the Zoo — and now the two-week old calf needs a name.
The public is invited to cast their vote among the top three names selected by the calf’s care team:
The poll has closed! Reid Park Zoo will announce the winner shortly.
The new calf is the second born to mom Penelope, also known as “Penny,” and dad Jasiri as part of Reid Park Zoo’s participation in the Species Survival Plan, or SSP, to help sustain healthy populations of this endangered species. Penny and Jasiri’s first-born, Moyo, moved to another Zoo in 2025, also on recommendation from the SSP to support conservation of reticulated giraffes.
The calf and his mother are both doing well and have begun exploring their outdoor habitat. Alongside his mom, the calf is at times visible to the public for short periods throughout the day.
Reid Park Zoo supports the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Giraffe SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) Program, providing fieldwork in Uganda to stabilize wild populations of the endangered reticulated giraffes. By supporting Reid Park Zoo, guests are also helping support these programs and the calf’s wild cousins.