Monroe County Executive Adam Bello And The Seneca Park Zoo Society Announce The Arrival Of Two Masai Giraffe As Part Of Association Of Zoos And Aquariums Species Survival Plan

October 11th, 2024

View Full Press Release (PDF)

Seneca Park Zoo has added two new Masai giraffes to its tower. The two giraffes, a one-year-old male named Elliot, and a three-year-old female named Kura, were transferred from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park based on a recommendation from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Elliot and Kura will join Iggy, JD, and Olmsted in the tower. As previously announced, AZA breeding recommendations also necessitated relocating female Masai giraffe Pippi, who has transferred to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

"The trust that the AZA places in us to ensure the care and well-being of these animals is a testament to the caliber of our facilities and our animal health and animal care teams," said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. "There will be great anticipation for zoo-goers to meet Kura and Elliot."

"The two new giraffes have been introduced to the rest of the tower and are getting acclimated in their new habitat," said Zoo Veterinarian Dr. Chris McKinney, "Everyone is doing well, and we should be able to open the giraffe barn in a few days."

The two Masai giraffes were moved to the Zoo based on a Species Survival Plan Breeding recommendation. These recommendations enable AZA-accredited institutions to manage a genetically diverse, demographically varied, and biologically sound population of any given species.

Masai giraffes are found in savannas and open woodlands throughout southern Kenya and much of Tanzania. They are classified as Endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), due and fragmented populations that have resulted from poaching, habitat loss, and human encroachment. Seneca Park Zoo has been a part of the AZA Giraffe SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) program since its inception and has supported field conservation work for giraffes since 2018 when giraffes became a permanent part of the Zoo.

As Kura and Elliot acclimate to their new surroundings and the tower, the Animals of the Savanna barn may be closed intermittently so Animal Care teams may observe them. For more information and for tickets visit: senecaparkzoo.org.

***

Internationally, and in our own backyard, Seneca Park Zoo plays a key role in species survival. Chartered as an educational institution in 1957 by New York State, the Seneca Park Zoo Society plays an integral role in supporting Monroe County, the owners and operators of the Zoo. Together, we are working to bring animals back from the brink of extinction.