Tanganyika Wildlife Park
GODDARD, Kan. — One of the largest herds of Giraffe in the United States just got even bigger. Tanganyika Wildlife Park’s herd has grown by three, recently welcoming two male and one female calves to the herd. These additions are a testament to Tanganyika’s legacy as a leader in the preservation of rare and endangered species, particularly Reticulated Giraffe, whose populations are listed as vulnerable.
The first calf, a male named Otto, was born on July 31st, 2024, to mom Isis. Otto wasn’t getting the necessary nutrition from his mom and is currently being bottle fed behind-the-scenes while he gains strength during his early development. The second calf, a female, was born on August 21st, 2024, to mom Virtue and has just made her public debut with the herd on habitat. The most recent addition, a male born on September 1st, 2024, to mom Savvy, lives with the group of giraffes in Tanganyika’s Safari area, part of their ongoing expansion.
The birth of these calves is a significant milestone, not just for Tanganyika but also for giraffe conservation worldwide. “Giraffes are facing increasing threats in the wild due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict,” shares Dr. Samantha Russak, Chief of Research and Welfare at Tanganyika. Dr Russak adds “These births mark the 72nd giraffes born at Tanganyika since the park was founded. This breeding program plays a crucial role in maintaining genetic diversity and supporting global preservation efforts.”
The birth process for giraffes is unique and critical to their survival. After a gestation period of approximately 15 months, giraffe mothers give birth while standing, with the calf being born hooves-first. This means the newborn drops over six feet to the ground—a crucial step that helps stimulate the calf to stand quickly, which it usually does within an hour. "All three babies stood up quickly, which is an important sign of their early health," says hoofstock keeper Robert Olmstead. In the wild, the ability to stand and move soon after birth is vital for avoiding predators.
Tanganyika strives to bring every visitor "close enough to care" and these new calves will play an important role in that mission. Tanganyika Wildlife Park is open for the season through November 10th, offering guests the chance to experience its renowned animal encounters, including the opportunity to get up close with the giraffe herd at the Giraffe Encounter Feeding Station and dduring the Giraffe Safari Adventure. Visitors can take advantage of the Best Day Bundle, which provides an immersive experience with the giraffes and the park’s 500 other animals.
About Tanganyika: Tanganyika Wildlife Park is a family-owned and operated wildlife park in Goddard, Kansas that aims to promote conservation and education through its collection of rare and endangered animals. The park is home to over 400 animals from 100 different species, including many not commonly found in zoos or wildlife parks. Tanganyika is dedicated to connecting people with wildlife and encouraging them to become stewards of the environment. The park offers a range of educational programs and experiences, such as behind-the-scenes tours, animal encounters, and wildlife camps. Tanganyika Wildlife Park has received numerous awards for its commitment to animal welfare and conservation and is a proud member of the Zoological Association of America (ZAA) and certified by the American Humane Association (AHA).