(Des Moines, IA) -- The Des Moines Blank Park Zoo has opened a naming competition for a baby giraffe. The male giraffe was born January 18th. The zoo's asking
The choices are:
Mosi - meaning 'first born'
Raza - meaning 'hope'
Ikemba (Kemba) - meaning 'strength of a nation,' 'power of the people,' 'full of faith'
Voting is free, but the Zoo is asking the public to consider a donation in honor of the new calf to Blank Park Zoo due to the loss of revenue this past year because of the pandemic.
To vote:www.blankparkzoo.com/vote
To donate:www.blankparkzoo.com/donate
The public voting is underway now through February 2nd. The name that gets the most votes will be revealed the next day.
Zoo keepers and veterinary staff examined the giraffe about 36-hours after he was born, and determined the calf's height is six feet and weight is 125 lbs. The calf’s mother, Skye, is a six year-old giraffe, who has lived at Blank Park Zoo since 2015. This is her first calf. Jakobi, the father, is 15 years-old and has previously sired several calves.