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The Toronto Zoo is turning to the public for help naming its almost three-week-old baby giraffe.
The baby giraffe was born Feb. 2 around 1:30 a.m., more than a month after her father Kiko died after his head was caught in a habitat door.
CEO Dolf DeJong said the zoo is happy to welcome the new giraffe.
“Every time we add a new Masai giraffe to the population, it’s a big, big deal,” said DeJong. “We’re just so excited to have this little girl here and healthy it appears, and on the right track.”
WATCH | Kiko the giraffe dies:
Giraffe dies after being caught in habitat door at Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo says a 13-year-old giraffe has died after getting caught in an opening door to his behind-the-scenes habitat.
Help name giraffe baby
The zoo is holding a public vote begins starting Tuesday and lasting until March 23. The Kenyan Honorary Consulate in Toronto chose five possible Swahili names for the calf:
- Binti, meaning daughter.
- Imara, meaning strong, resilient.
- Nyota, meaning star.
- Neema, meaning grace.
- Sanaa, meaning beauty or art.
Once the name has been decided, the zoo says it will make an announcement. The young giraffe will be viewable for the first time by the public this Friday, March 13.
WATCH | The first moments of the baby giraffe:
Giraffes get ‘zoomies’ too
DeJong said the young calf is “super fun,” and that if any of the spaces are left open, she will wander off and explore a little bit.
“We’ve actually seen those moments where she has zoomies. Where she’s kind of bouncing around,” DeJong said.
Since the newborn’s father passed away, the parenting falls entirely on to the calf’s mother, Mstari. But that’s what would have happened anyway, DeJong said, given male giraffes don’t parent.
“Mstari is a phenomenal single mom,” he said. “And this little kid isn’t exactly missing dad being around because he wouldn’t have been a part of the story.”
