Finger pushing


Denver Zoo’s 3-week-old giraffe delights crowds

Denver Zoo's 3-week-old giraffe delights crowds

At a ripe 3 weeks old, the Denver Zoo’s new reticulated giraffe calf is already stealing hearts, and the attention, of visitors.

Staff have been slowly introducing the still unnamed calf to the outdoor enclosure and zoo audiences.

Dozens stopped at a time to catch a glimpse of the baby giraffe on Friday morning, with many parents sharing a moment of amazement with their children.

“Having this educational resource in Denver is super cool. We come here all the time and she was still pregnant last time we came,” Josh Been, there with his own newborn son, Otto, said.

The zoo is also seeking help choosing a name for the young heartthrob.

Staff whittled the name down to Dagg, in honor of late giraffe expert Dr. Anne Innis Dagg, Thorn, a favorite food of giraffes and, Kujali, which translates to ‘to care’ in Swahili. Reticulated giraffes are most abundantly found in northern and north-eastern Kenya, according to the zoo.

Voting for the young giraffe’s name ends April 18 and takes a $5 donation. For those unable to make it to the zoo, a live stream of the indoor giraffe enclosure gives a behind the scenes look into the indoor giraffe enclosure.

People line up to catch a glimpse of the newborn giraffe at the Denver Zoo on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Tom Hellauer
tom.hellauer@denvergazette.com)
People line up to catch a glimpse of the newborn giraffe at the Denver Zoo on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Tom Hellauer tom.hellauer@denvergazette.com)
ABOVE: People line up to catch a glimpse of the newborn giraffe at the Denver Zoo on Friday. INSET: The Denver Zoo’s 3-week-old giraffe sits in the sun to the delight of crowds at the zoo. (photos by Tom Hellauer, the denver gazette)
ABOVE: People line up to catch a glimpse of the newborn giraffe at the Denver Zoo on Friday. INSET: The Denver Zoo’s 3-week-old giraffe sits in the sun to the delight of crowds at the zoo. (photos by Tom Hellauer, the denver gazette)
Josh Been and his son, Otto, catch a glimpse of the newborn giraffe at the Denver Zoo on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Tom Hellauer
tom.hellauer@denvergazette.com)
Josh Been and his son, Otto, catch a glimpse of the newborn giraffe at the Denver Zoo on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Tom Hellauer tom.hellauer@denvergazette.com)
BB, a 4-year-old reticulated giraffe at the Denver Zoo, gave birth to the as-yet-unnamed calf. (Tom Hellauer
tom.hellauer@denvergazette.com)
BB, a 4-year-old reticulated giraffe at the Denver Zoo, gave birth to the as-yet-unnamed calf. (Tom Hellauer tom.hellauer@denvergazette.com)
The Denver Zoo's three week old giraffe explores part of their enclosure as people line up to catch a glimpse of him at the zoo on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Tom Hellauer
tom.hellauer@denvergazette.com)
The Denver Zoo’s three week old giraffe explores part of their enclosure as people line up to catch a glimpse of him at the zoo on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Tom Hellauer tom.hellauer@denvergazette.com)
The Denver Zoo’s 3-week old giraffe sits in the sun to the delight of crowds at the zoo on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Tom Hellauer
tom.hellauer@denvergazette.com)
The Denver Zoo’s 3-week old giraffe sits in the sun to the delight of crowds at the zoo on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Tom Hellauer tom.hellauer@denvergazette.com)
A bumper sticker reading 'The Denver Zoo is My Happy Place' is spotted at the Denver Zoo on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Tom Hellauer
tom.hellauer@denvergazette.com)
A bumper sticker reading ‘The Denver Zoo is My Happy Place’ is spotted at the Denver Zoo on Friday, March 28, 2025. (Tom Hellauer tom.hellauer@denvergazette.com)
Tags


Welcome Back.

Streak: 9 days i

Stories you've missed since your last login:

Stories you've saved for later:

Recommended stories based on your interests:

Edit my interests