Photo: Getty Images
(Des Moines, IA) -- Iowans will soon have the chance to see a new addition to Des Moines' Blank Park Zoo.
"We have a very special package. We have a baby giraffe that was born on Wednesday morning," says Blank Park Zoo CEO Anne Shimerdla. "We're auctioning off the opportunity to be one of the first people to meet the baby in person. That would probably happen, those first tours will be towards the end of September."
Shimerdla says locals can visit the baby giraffe by the end of the month, depending on how the baby and mom are doing. Auction details can be found here. The Blank Park Zoo is also looking for the public's help naming its baby giraffe.
"Our zookeepers and staff will be submitting ideas. Then, we'll narrow that to three and release those names to the community. Anyone can vote all across the state," says Shimerdla. The zoo will open up the staff's name nominations for public voting on September 14th. Voting details will be made available at blankparkzoo.com.
Shimerdla was interviewed by Emery Songer on NewsRadio 1040 WHO.