El Paso Zoo welcomes new giraffe, Maj. Gen. Greer’s funeral set, YISD leader’s contract

El Paso Zoo Giraffe Family Grows; Benito’s One Year at Africam

It’s a boy for Gigi and Juma, expanding the El Paso Zoo’s giraffe family.

The six-foot calf was born in late January, and its gender was revealed this week on social media. A name for the calf, who is in a private area and not yet on exhibit, will be announced in the coming weeks.

“Both Gigi and her calf are doing well, and our staff is providing around-the-clock care to ensure their health and well-being,” El Paso Zoo Director Joe Montisano said in a news release.

The new calf is the second to be born at the zoo: Obi was born in April 2023 and was to be transferred to the Dallas Zoo to join a herd of female giraffes under a breeding program.

Last week, the Africam Safari celebrated the one-year anniversary of the arrival of Benito, the giraffe who was transferred from a public park in Ciudad Juárez to the wildlife preserve in Puebla, Mexico, after a public outcry over his living conditions.

“Every day, we have seen him get stronger, grow and shine brighter than ever,” Africam posted on Facebook. “We are excited for everything that lies ahead of him and our herd of giraffes!”