Meet Calvin and Lennard, Zoo Atlanta’s Reticulated Giraffes
Hi friends! My name is Katelyn, and I am on the Hoofstock Care Team here at Zoo Atlanta. If you have visited us before, you probably know the Zoo’s two male reticulated giraffes as Etana and Isooba. Surprise! Their names are actually Calvin (Etana) and Lennard (Isooba). Etana and Isooba were names given to them when they arrived at Zoo Atlanta, and they were used by the public teams. However, “Calvin” and “Lennard” were still the names used by their animal care professionals behind the scenes. Zoo-wide, they are phasing out of using their Atlanta-given names and are using their birth names everywhere to eliminate any confusion.
Fun Facts and Quirks
Calvin and Lennard are two half-brothers who were born in 2011 at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, S.C. They then joined the Zoo Atlanta family in 2013. Personality-wise, Calvin and Lennard can have different moods, just as we can. They are both quite spunky. Our boys are also very curious and fairly interactive with their care team. Keepers and guests have both witnessed them very intently watching random objects or listening for noises in the distance. They can be especially nosey when we are hanging food or browse for them.
Diet and Natural Feeding Behavior
Giraffe are known as “browsers.” This means they eat mainly vegetation at approximately six feet and higher. Because of this, the care team hangs most of their food to encourage that natural feeding behavior. In their diet is a mixture of grain, beet pulp, and an arrangement of produce. We also bundle browse, which is basically branches and twigs. Because Georgia has different vegetation than the African savanna, we have an amazing Horticulture Team that collects local tree species deemed safe for the giraffes to eat. They especially love elm, mulberry, and honeysuckle.
Visit Twiga Terrace to Learn More
If you would like to learn more about Calvin and Lennard, or any of the Zoo’s hoofstock friends, make sure to stop by Twiga Terrace on your next visit to Zoo Atlanta. The Giraffe Care Team and Education Team are always happy to answer any questions you have or tell you more fun facts about them. We hope to see you soon!
Hoofstock Happenings: A New Giraffe Greeting
Giraffes are one of the most beloved animals in zoos and wildlife parks around the world. They are majestic creatures with long necks and legs, and they are often the star attraction in any wildlife park. Recently, a new giraffe greeting has been introduced at many zoos and wildlife parks, and it is quickly becoming a popular way for visitors to interact with these gentle giants.
What is Hoofstock Happenings?
Hoofstock Happenings is a new program designed to give visitors an up-close and personal experience with giraffes. The program allows visitors to feed the giraffes and even get a chance to pet them. The program also includes educational talks about the animals and their habitat.
How Does It Work?
Visitors to the zoo or wildlife park are given a bucket of food and instructed to feed the giraffes. The giraffes will then come up to the visitors and greet them. Visitors can then pet the giraffes and get a chance to take pictures. The program also includes educational talks about the giraffes and their habitat.
What Are the Benefits?
The Hoofstock Happenings program provides visitors with a unique and exciting experience. Not only does it give visitors a chance to interact with the giraffes, but it also provides them with an educational experience. The program also helps to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these majestic animals and their habitat.
Conclusion
Hoofstock Happenings is a great way for visitors to get up close and personal with giraffes. It is an educational and interactive experience that helps to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these animals and their habitat. If you are looking for a unique experience, then Hoofstock Happenings is definitely worth checking out.
