Giraffe

At the Detroit Zoo
The African Grasslands is home to four giraffes – Mpenzi; his mom, Kivuli; his dad, Jabari; and newcomer Zara. Mpenzi means “love” in Swahili – one of the languages of East Africa where giraffes are found. Jabari (Swahili for “brave one”) seems curious and frequently explores the habitat. Kivuli (Swahili for “shadow”) is the more reserved of the two adults. Zara came to the Detroit Zoo in fall 2020 on a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Program. She has a very calm demeanor and seems eager to learn new things. This giraffe quartet can be found next to the Grevy’s zebras in the African Grasslands. In the winter months, the giraffes may be in their recently expanded indoor habitat.

Description
Giraffes are the tallest land mammals in the world. Their long necks and legs make giraffes the tall mammals that they are. They have long, narrow faces with two fur-covered horns, or ossicones, that adorn the tops of their heads. A thin, brown-colored mane runs down their necks, and they have tufts of brown hair at the ends of their tails.