CONTACT: April Spurlock
(323) 644-4273
Welcome SOFIE!
On April 22, the Zoo’s animal community soared to new heights with the birth of a female
giraffe calf named SOFIE.
The calf, weighing in at 135 pounds and standing six feet tall, was
named by donor Robert McMillan after his great-granddaughter.
This is the first baby for the
Zoo’s female Masai giraffe, Hasina, fathered by Artimus. The family can now be seen on exhibit
daily during Zoo hours.
The Masai species of giraffe is found in East Africa, namely southern Kenya and northern
Tanzania.
All giraffe populations throughout Africa are under threat and are declining due to
poaching for meat. Giraffes are not secure in the wild like most people think, thus the captive
populations are becoming more important.
Come to the Zoo and meet this beautiful new addition to our giraffe family!
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The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways, where it hosts over 1.6 million visitors each year. The Zoo is home to a diverse collection of 1,100 animals, many of which are rare or endangered. New exhibits include the LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles), Elephants of Asia, and Campo Gorilla Reserve. Admission is $17 for adults and $12 for children ages 2 to 12. The Zoo is open from 10am to 5pm daily. For information, call (323) 644-4200.
