The Potawatomi Zoo is pleased to announce the name of its female giraffe calf: Hadassah.
The calf was named by a generous friend of the Zoo, Depositar Auto Body. Taken from the Biblical story of Queen Esther, Hadassah is a Hebrew name that means “myrtle.”
“We have been blessed, and our desire is to bless as many people as possible. This seemed a fitting opportunity,” says Alisa Depositar, co-owner of Depositar Auto Body. “Welcome to the community, Hadassah, for such a time as this.”
Born on October 13, Hadassah’s keepers are working on building a trust-based relationship with her. They spend time talking to her and offering her leaves to browse. So far, she’s curious about solid foods and interested in people, but still cautious of them.
“Myrtle trees are associated with peace, love, and prosperity, so it seems like a great name for a giraffe calf that’s already so loved by the community,” says Potawatomi Zoo Director Josh Sisk. “Since we’re a non-profit organization, donations to name animals like this calf are a special way to further drive our mission of education and conservation.”
Gestation for giraffes is 14 to 15 months. Mothers give birth standing up, and the calf will fall about six feet to the ground at birth. Calves can stand, walk, nurse, and run within hours of being born.
The calf will nurse for about 9-12 months, but she’ll start eating solid food at around 4 months old.
Scientists estimate that there are fewer than 90,000 giraffes in the world. Their conservation status is considered vulnerable to extinction.
Masai giraffes are the largest of the species or subspecies of giraffe. They’re native to southern Kenya and Tanzania. They’re considered endangered in the wild, and their population is decreasing. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates there are around 35,000 Masai giraffes.
