Cincinnati Zoo’s Baby Giraffe has a Name!

Posted December 2, 2019

CINCINNATI (December 2, 2019) – The week-old baby giraffe that has already stolen the hearts of staff and visitors at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden will be called Theo. The male calf, born on November 23 to eight-year-old mom Cece, is healthy and very brave, already wandering away from mom to thoroughly explore his surroundings and keepers

“We picked the name Theo because it means divine gift.  He was the gift that our team needed following the death of the calf’s dad a week before he arrived” said Christina Gorsuch, Cincinnati Zoo’s curator of mammals.

Theo is the 17th giraffe born at the Cincinnati Zoo since 1889, when the first giraffe calf to be born in any Zoo in the Western Hemisphere arrived.  He joins Cece, 6-month old Fenn, his mom Tessa, and 3-year-old Zoey in the Giraffe Ridge herd.

During the colder months, guests can see the herd through the windows of the giraffe barn. Outside appearances are weather dependent.

In 2018, giraffes were listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Giraffe populations are suffering from habitat loss, trophy hunting, illegal poaching and war-stricken habitat. The Cincinnati Zoo supports wild Maasai giraffe conservation by offering “behind the scenes” tours with proceeds going to the Wild Nature Institute. Visit cincinnatizoo.org to schedule a tour.

The Zoo opens daily at 10 a.m. PNC Festival of Lights is open nightly, starting at 5 p.m., through January 4, 2020. For more information visit www.cincinnatizoo.org.