When Kiraka gives birth to this calf next month, Billy will become the youngest sire of his species in New Zealand history at the age of three years and nine months (three years and ten months if the birth occurs after July 25). He would also be one of the youngest sires in the history of the region - along with Mtundu (21/08/2015), who welcomed his first calf at Mogo Zoo at the age of three years and nine months. 10 bulls have sired calves in New Zealand zoos. These are the five youngest: 1. Billy (26/09/2018) - 3 years, 9 months 2. Mabuti (03/05/2017) - 4 years, 5 months 3. Harold (14/04/1993) - 4 years, 7 months 4. Zabulu (07/01/1998) - 4 years, 10 months 5. Jaffa (20/08/1981) - 5 years, 1 month
In addition to the new 0.1 calf at Australia Zoo, 1.0 calf was born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo over the weekend. This calf joins 0.1 Matata who was born in June. This new calf has been named Wayo which is footprint/track in Swahili.
Very tactful. What a great name! It’s original in that I’ve never heard this on a giraffe in the region before, yet perfectly references the hooves of the giraffes (a well known feature of this species given they can kill a lion). I’m not even sure I’ve heard this used on any other African animal within the region - though a hippopotamus born at Auckland Zoo in 1946 was named Cetawayo (a variation).
Just made the 7 news another calf has just been born with a member of the public reporting it to staff
That’s Wayo, was born on Saturday: Baby giraffe joins herd at Dubbo Zoo It would have be an exciting sight for the visitors!
Yep, that’s a female calf named Matata, who was born in June to Ntombi. The calf on the news is a male named Wayo, who born to Mvita on Saturday. The news has only broken today and confused me this afternoon, as the first news article I read didn’t mention his name (Wayo) and made me think it was a new announcement.
The mother will be one of these cows: 0.1 Asmara (Nakura x Tuli) 24-07-2006 0.1 Nyah (Unnami x Ntombi) 01-01-2016 0.1 Zane (Unnami x Tuli) 00-02-2016 0.1 Malaika (Unnami x Ntombi) 11-09-2017 The birth of the two recent calves (the first since 2020) follow the introduction of new breeding bull Mtoto, who has likely impregnated the other three cows (who would be in the earlier stages of pregnancy).
0.1 Kiraka at Auckland Zoo has given birth to 1.0 calf. Sire is first-time father Billy: Auckland Zoo celebrates birth of giraffe calf | Auckland Zoo News
The calf was noted to be unusually tall at 1.95 metres, with the zoo referencing it’s record holding paternal grandfather (Forrest). I’ve researched the heights at birth of some of his family members on his paternal side: Harold > Zabulu > Forrest > Billy: 0.1 Ntombi (2007) Zabulu x Kay = 1.8 metres 1.0 Forrest (2007) Zabulu x Rukiya = 1.8 metres 1.0 Jelani (2010) Zabulu x Rukiya = 1.8 metres 0.1 Savannah (2011) Harold x Tunu = 1.7 metres 0.1 Nakuru (2012) Zabulu x Rukiya = 1.8 metres 0.1 Shira (2013) Zabulu x Rukiya = 1.7 metres 0.1 Zuri (2015) Zabulu x Rukiya = 1.8 metres 0.1 Kabili (2016) Zabulu x Kiraka = 1.6 metres (twin, premature)
1.0 calf was born at Monarto Safari Park last Thursday to 0.1 Korongo and 1.0 Mzuri. The post states there are now 21 giraffe at the facility including the breeding and bachelor herds: Log into Facebook | Facebook
The zoo have quickly amended the name to Jabali. Jabari was the name of a giraffe born at Auckland Zoo in 2002, so presumably they wanted an original name. Jabari and Masamba were born five days apart at Auckland Zoo in late 2002 and were much celebrated as the first giraffe calves in eight years and the first born to their new breeding bull, Zabulu.
0.1 Matilda (Mtundu x Tuli) 26-01-2021 has left Mogo Wildlife Park for Altina. Tuli is due any day now too!
Great news re. Matilda; hopefully she'll breed in the future as she's providing Altina with a second breeding female.
