(Omaha, NE) -- Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium has a new reticulated giraffe. The Zoo says "Geoff" arrived this (Friday) morning from an accredited zoo in the South East. He is expected to breed with female giraffes as part of a conservation program. The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, states reticulated giraffe populations have dropped by more than 50% in the last three decades. It's estimated there are less than 16-thousand reticulated giraffes in the wild. The decline is due to habitat loss, illegal hunting, and human-wildlife conflict.
“Geoff’s arrival is a vital step in our efforts to support the conservation of reticulated giraffes,” said Ryan Sears, curator of large mammals at the Zoo. “By participating in collaborative breeding programs like the SSP, we’re ensuring a future for this incredible species while educating our visitors about the challenges these animals face in their natural environments.”
Geoff and the rest of the herd can bee seen in the Syd and Betty Cate Giraffe Herd Rooms within the Scott African Grasslands.