Baby Giraffe Gets a Name for the Holidays!

Willow is growing, thriving and on exhibit at the Virginia Zoo 

Norfolk, VA (DEC. 21, 2010) - The baby girl giraffe born at the Virginia Zoo on October 21 is thriving and growing, and now she has a name!

The zoo keepers who care for her and the rest of her giraffe family (also known as a “tower”) have named her Willow.

“A willow is a slender, graceful tree, so it’s the perfect name for a giraffe. Giraffe also love to eat leaves and branches, known as browse, and willow is a favorite,” notes executive director Greg Bockheim. “Plus, although we call him ‘Billy,’ her father’s official name is ‘Willoughby,’ so keepers liked the idea of honoring him, too.”

Willow has grown about a foot in height and has put on weight, too. Her fur is growing in thick getting her ready for the winter.  Like baby giraffe born in the wild, little Willow spent her first weeks lying quietly in the sun. She and mom, Imara, were kept in an enclosed yard off of the exhibit area.  Now that she’s getting bigger, she’s getting frisky.  Keepers report that Willow literally has been kicking up her heels, running around her small yard, bucking and playing.

The next step for Willow is to introduce her to the larger giraffe yard. This will be a slow process for this fall baby due to weather. The origins of the Zoo’s Masai giraffe are in Africa. Even though all members of the tower have been born and raised in North America, they don’t like the cold. If it is raining or if the air temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, Willow and her fellow giraffe will not be released to the outside exhibit. On cold, wet days, Willow and her family can be viewed from the windows in the giraffe and elephant barn at the African boardwalk.

“Giraffe are not cold weather animals, so we carefully monitor the outdoor temperatures in the winter before deciding whether they should go outside,” reports Jason Strohkorb, one of her zoo keepers. “Between the soggy, wet weather – including the November nor’easter – and the current cold temps, Willow has not been introduced to the larger yard yet.  When the weather cooperates, we will proceed carefully in a way that’s reassuring for her as she adjusts to this new experience and space.”

Like many hoof stock species, giraffe can be skittish when facing new situations.  To help her with transition, zoo staff has created temporary fences of PVC pipe covered in burlap near the moats. This creates a visual boundary to teach Willow not to go near the water.

Keepers are waiting for warm, dry days to begin the introduction to the giraffe yard. They will take as much time as Willow needs to help her feel secure in her new space, which she also will share with a Grant’s gazelle, ground hornbills and ostriches.

They expect the process to be smooth – once they get a break in the weather!

“Willow has a great temperament.  She is playful and frisky.  Her mom is an important influence on her, too. We’ve noticed that she often looks to Imara for cues on how to react to new situations,” says Strohkorb.

“Because Imara has proven to be a mellow mother, Willow is developing a calm, inquisitive nature. She also shares her night house with the three elephants who live on the other side of that building.  Our elephants are big and noisy and enjoy playing loudly to get attention. Since the night she was born, Willow has been accustomed to hearing strange and sudden noises. This experience will probably help make her transition to the public exhibit even easier.”

Keepers are really proud of Willow’s mother, Imara. “She’s a first time mother,” says Strohkorb, “And for an animal species known for getting scared of new experiences, she’s taken to caring for her calf like a pro. Imara likes to stand protectively between Willow and staff, so we have lots of pictures of Willow hidden behind a long set of giraffe legs!  Occasionally we have to separate them briefly for routine care. When they are reunited, Imara immediately starts nuzzling her calf and licking her face to reassure her.”             

Virginia Zoo visitors have a rare treat of watching many wild babies grow up. But baby animals, like children, grow up fast. Animals stay active in cooler weather, so winter is a great time to visit the Zoo to see Willow the giraffe, three baby bongo, four lion cubs and more. The Zoo is open daily except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.