The excitement is rising: we are looking for a name for the offspring of giraffes at Leipzig Zoo!

The excitement is rising: we are looking for a name for the offspring of giraffes at Leipzig Zoo!

Leipzig Zoo is happy to welcome new offspring: a young Rothschild giraffe, born from its five-year-old mother Tamika, has seen the light of day. On September 19, 2025, one day before World Children's Day, the zoo invites its visitors to take part in an exciting naming ceremony for the cute giraffe calf. Over 1,600 suggestions have already been submitted and the zookeepers have shortlisted six beautiful names. These are: Amani - the peace, Elani - the light, Makena - the happy one, Malaika - the angel, Moya - the heart and Shani - the great land. Final voting runs until midday on Friday and the winner will be announced on September 20th at 11am in the heart of the Kiwara Savannah.

The birth story of the giraffe calf is almost like a fairy tale. The birth itself went smoothly: Tamika gave birth to her calf less than two hours after labor began. Just an hour later, the little one found his mother's udder and was able to make his first attempts to drink. The two are currently living in a quiet neighboring box to get used to each other and build a bond before the offspring are integrated into the large herd, which also includes father Matyas and brother Kiano. “We are full of joy about this unexpected birth,” said department manager Jens Hirmer about the quick and smooth birth.

Discovery days at Leipzig Zoo

The christening of the giraffe is part of the Discovery Days, which take place on September 20th and 21st. This event is all about the offspring of animals and offers numerous activities for animal lovers young and old. Visitors can do crafts, puzzles and discover things at activity stands, while little guests can experience the “young animal course” with exciting challenges. At the creative table, children have the opportunity to create imaginative animal patterns using handprints. At 10:15 a.m. and 2 p.m., the elephants and their three young animals will be the focus of the exciting demonstrations, while the giraffe, zebra and gazelle offspring will be presented in the Kiwara savannah at 1:15 p.m.

Leipzig Zoo enjoys wonderful grounds where visitors can observe the giraffes both indoors and outdoors. The Rothschild giraffes are an important part of the zoo's wildlife, offering visitors a wealth of experiences. “The giraffe calf will soon be visible to the guests as soon as it is integrated into the herd,” assure the zookeepers. The herd now also includes the young female, which benefits the giraffe population!

The great interest and active participation of visitors in the naming ceremony shows how strongly the community is connected to the zoo. On the upcoming World Children's Day, the common word game “giraffe baptism” will certainly be another highlight and will make many children's eyes light up.