BALTIMORE, MD – For the first time since she was born on March 27, Maryland’s new giraffe calf, Titali [teh-TALL-ee] (Tali for short) ventured outside the Giraffe House at the Maryland Zoo. The occasion was caught on camera in a social media post that’s going viral.
With this giant step in Tali’s growth, Maryland Zoo is able to extend visiting hours at Giraffe House which is now open from 12:30 – 3:30 pm each day.
Tali was supported in her first foray outside by two of the Zoo’s reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) – Caesar, a male who is on the left in the video, and Kesi, a female who has been helping Tali explore the world around her.
Tali’s mom, Kipepeo [key-peh-PAY-oh] (Kipi for short), arrived at Maryland Zoo last fall and is not yet as adventurous as her calf. Even though Kipi has access to the outside, for now she’s opting to remain inside the barn.
“Giraffe are cautious by nature,” said Erin Cantwell-Grimm, Mammal Curator at Maryland Zoo. “Our job is to help them feel safe to explore the world around them at their own pace. So far, Tali is being a little more adventurous than her mom.”
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