MEET the zoo’s latest arrival, female giraffe calf Mkali.
Mkali, which is a Swahili word for “bright”, is the youngest of five siblings to Mzungu, mum, and Shaba, dad.
Wildlife Supervisor Sophie Dentrinos says Mkali is very cheeky and independent at three weeks of age.
“She is reaching all her milestones and a pleasure to watch exploring the enclosure,” she says.
“Her brother, Themba, is 17 months old, and has adjusted well to this new addition.
“He is very good at showing Mkali the ropes, and he’s definitely helping to grow her confidence.”
Sophie says Mkali will double in size in her first year, and is currently growing by two or three centimetres a day.
“She is using her tongue a lot to play with sticks, leaves and dirt, because it helps to develop her fine motor skills,” she says.
“She will get milk from her mum until she is about three or four months old, and she still has her umbilical cord, but it will fall off when she is about two months old.”
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