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Giraffe Zookeeper Corner
June 8, 2009 - Pictures from Acacia Station Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
May 28, 2009
Zookeeper Dana Urbanski
Thanks to everyone who submitted names to the giraffe-naming contest.
There were a number of unique and clever names, but one set of names really stood out. Congratulations to Lexy Labrador for submitting the names Jitu and Asha. These are African names that mean "giant" and "gift of life" respectively. These names represent the individual animals and will grow with them throughout their life here at the North Carolina Zoo.
Jitu and Asha are continuing to do well here at the zoo. Asha has been going to the new giraffe-feeding station consistently and eating the browse that is being offered. Jitu is still reluctant to come close to the station, but he is getting braver day by day. They both are being trained to walk through the giraffe chute. Asha walks through the chute almost every day; whereas, Jitu still needs more time to do so.
All the giraffe are still getting accustomed to the new giraffe-feeding station. The keepers have been doing daily training to help them feel comfortable with the new deck. Visit the Zoo to see Jitu and Asha, Turbo and Tafari and of course our 32-year-old female giraffe Julie.
May 4, 2009
Zookeeper Dana Urbanski
The two new giraffes are adapting well to the exhibit. They are active and have been running up and down the exhibit. They explore but do not stray too far from Julie, our adult female. They have been seen lying down in the exhibit in the afternoons, which is a sight many people do not get an opportunity to see. All of the introductions went smoothly, and all of the Forest Edge animals are getting along great. The giraffes have also been able to do a visual introduction with the new bongo at the zebra gate and are currently being trained to walk through the giraffe chute. At the chute, keepers can work safely and closely with the giraffes to do medical procedures. The female has walked through the chute several times, but the male is still a little hesitant; he has put only two feet in. Along with the chute training, keepers are training all the giraffes to walk up the hill to the new feeding deck. Besides one of the older males, the female has been the closest to the deck so far. All of the giraffes are making progress toward being comfortable with the new feeding deck.
April 8, 2009
Zookeeper Dana Urbanski
The new giraffe arrived on March 8, 2009. They were transported in a special trailer that can house large animals. 
The male is a Rothchild's giraffe from Dickerson Park Zoo in Missouri. He is 10 months old and is 10 feet tall. He is light colored compared to the rest of the giraffe. He is shy around people but enjoys the company of his new herd. He is also very muscular for a young giraffe. He enjoys eating wax myrtle and eleagnus browse.
The female giraffe is a reticulated giraffe from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado. She is also 10 months old and is 9 ½ feet tall. She is petite and enjoys the company of the older female giraffe. She is very curious and likes to interact with the keepers. She enjoys carrots and kale as special treats.
They both did well during quarantine and are now on exhibit. Once they have time to learn the exhibit they will be introduced to the zebra and ostrich.