Des Moines Blank Park Zoo Names Giraffe Calf

(Des Moines, IA) -- The Des Moines Blank Park Zoo says it's giraffe calf born this month, has been named Bakari, which means hopeful and promising in Swahili. The calf was born September 7th. Visitors will be able to see Bakari beginning October 4th. The Zoo says more than 3,000 people voted on the name for the calf.

At birth, Bakari weighed 107 pounds and measured five foot five inches. The calf’s mother, Zola, is six years-old and has lived at Blank Park Zoo since 2017. Jakobi, the father, is 17 years-old and has previously sired several calves.

“We are so excited to welcome this healthy boy to our herd,” said Kayla Freeman, supervisor of large mammals. “It has been refreshing to watch Zola become such a great mom. We can’t wait for our community to meet him.”

Previously, Raza, a male giraffe calf, was born at Blank Park Zoo on January 18, 2021.