What should Sacramento Zoo name ‘beautiful’ baby giraffe? Voting ends soon
The Sacramento Zoo just added an adorable new attraction — and it needs your help.
You can help the zoo pick a name for the baby giraffe while raising funds for a new shade structure for the giraffe herd and other habitat improvements, according to Nancy Smith-Fagan, director of institutional advancement and marketing for the Sacramento Zoo.
The month-old female giraffe calf is an important addition to the nearly century-old zoo, which spans 14.7 acres at 3930 West Land Park Drive in Sacramento, officials said.
“This little giraffe is a wonderful, little, beautiful ambassador for the work that goes on to preserve habitats and giraffes in Africa,” Smith-Fagan told The Sacramento Bee.
Here’s what you need to know:
Who is Sacramento Zoo’s new baby giraffe?
The newest member of the Sacramento Zoo’s animal family was born on March 1 to Amirah, a female Masai giraffe, according to the zoo site.
The Masai giraffe, which is native to East Africa, is known as the tallest of giraffe subspecies with calves weighing up to 150 pounds and standing 6 feet at birth.
What should female giraffe calf be named? See options
Want to help name the Sacramento Zoo’s baby giraffe? You can choose from one of three names, the zoo said.
The name Gumdrop is a homage to a past member of the Sacramento Zoo’s giraffe herd, lovingly known to staff and visitors as “Goody” or “Goody Goody Gumdrop,” according to the zoo’s website.
Goody was born with a hip deformity that caused early onset arthritis in her front leg, according to a tribute video created by the Sacramento Zoo. She died in 2019 after 20 years at the Sacramento Zoo.
The name Sumi refers to a sumac tree at the Sacramento Zoo.
The baby giraffe’s mother, Amirah, prefered nibbling on the sumac tree during her pregnancy, and her calf has shown the same preference, the zoo said.
The name Monica is meant to honor Monica Bond, lead biologist for the Wild Nature Institute and an industry leader in giraffe conservation and social behavior, according to the zoo.
The Wild Nature Institute conducts scientific research to save endangered species and inspire the public to protect wild nature, the zoo said.
When is the deadline to vote in name contest?
Voting for the new name ends Thursday, April 3, at 5 p.m.
The winning name will be announced on Friday, April 4, according to the zoo’s website.
How can I cast a vote for name selection?
People can cast a vote through the zoo website.
Once on the page, you can select your favorite name below by making a donation of your choice.
A minimum donation of $5 is required, and each dollar donated counts as one vote, according to the zoo.
What will donations be used for?
Funds will go toward a shade structure for the giraffes at the Sacramento Zoo, according to Smith-Fagan.
The zoo is home to five female Masai giraffes, KCRA-TV reported.
The giraffes are crepuscular, meaning that they’re active in the early morning and at dusk, Smith-Fagen explained. Giraffes seek shade in order to avoid the heat of the day and rest underneath it.
Over the summer, Smith-Fagen said, the zoo lost a few shade trees due to storm damage and age.
The zoo hopes to raise approximately $12,000 to $15,000 to pay for the shade structure, she said.
If the zoo ends up raising more funds than needed are to build the shade structure, additional funds would go toward other habitat upgrades, including renovating a space to house clouded leopards and improvements in the orangutan habitat for shade and play structures.
“We are committed to providing exceptional care for the animals who are here and that includes making sure they have the right habitat, they have enrichment (and) they have top-class veterinary care,” Smith-Fagan said.
Why are zoo renovations important?
At its current Land Park location, the Sacramento Zoo requires extensive renovations to wildlife habitats and other facilities to meet current animal care standards, according to the city of Elk Grove.
In May 2024, the Elk Grove City Council approved a $302 million project to move the zoo to a 65-acre site near Lotz Parkway and Kammerer Road, west of Highway 99 near Sky River Casino
The zoo will also undergo a name change and be called the Elk Grove - Sacramento Zoo to honor its new home.
Until the zoo moves to its new location in 2030, it will continue to prioritize the care of the animals and visitors at its current Land Park site, Smith-Fagan said.
“We have animals that depend on this for care, and we have people that come to visit,” Smith-Fagan said. “While we’re working to build the future zoo, we’re also committed to offering an outstanding experience for our guests who are here and enriching environments for the animals who are in our care.”
Can I see the baby giraffe on display at the zoo?
Yes, you can.
Although the baby Masai giraffe spent her first two weeks out of public sight to provide bonding time with her mother, she can now be seen in the zoo’s giraffe enclosure.
Smith-Fagan said the best time for visitors to see the baby giraffe is shortly after the zoo opens, from 9 to 11 a.m.
