News Summary
The Greenville Zoo has welcomed a newborn Masai giraffe, born to Autumn, the mother giraffe. This marks Autumn’s seventh calf and adds to the zoo’s conservation efforts. The zoo plans to perform a medical exam to assess the health of the newborn. Visitors can follow the journey through a live giraffe cam on the zoo’s website, while participating in its ongoing wildlife conservation and education initiatives.
Greenville Welcomes New Baby Masai Giraffe
The Greenville Zoo in South Carolina has announced the arrival of a newborn Masai giraffe after the mother giraffe, named Autumn, gave birth just after 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The zoo reported that the baby giraffe is alert and standing, indicating a healthy introduction to the world. A medical exam for the newborn is scheduled for Monday, during which zookeepers will determine its height, weight, and sex.
Autumn’s Seventh Calf
This marks Autumn’s seventh baby calf; she has previously had six calves at the Greenville Zoo. News of her pregnancy was shared through a special announcement made on Wednesday. The latest birth continues the legacy of Autumn’s previous offspring, including her sixth calf, Blossom, who was born in 2023 and has since been relocated out of the Greenville area.
History of Autumn and Her Calves
At 19 years old, Autumn was initially transferred to the Greenville Zoo from Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo in 2007 as part of a breeding loan. The zoo’s giraffe program is integral to the Species Survival Plan (SSP), which aims to maintain genetically diverse populations of threatened and endangered animals. Over the years, Autumn has given birth to several calves that have been successfully placed in various zoos across the country:
- Kiko, born in 2012, is currently at Toronto Zoo in Ontario, Canada.
- Tatu, born in 2016, resides at Lehigh Valley Zoo in Pennsylvania.
- Kiden, born in 2018, is at Fresno Chaffee Zoo in California.
- Kellan, born in 2019, is now at Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana.
- Providence, born in 2021, can be found at Roger Williams Park Zoo and Carousel Village in Providence, Rhode Island.
Zoo Visitor Experience
For those interested in following Autumn’s journey as a mother, the Greenville Zoo offers a live giraffe cam available on its website. The zoo operates daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last admission at 4 p.m.. Ticket prices range between $9 and $13, with two free parking lots situated directly across from the zoo entrance.
Importance of Giraffe Conservation
The birth of the new Masai giraffe is not just a notable addition to the zoo; it is also part of a broader effort to support conservation initiatives aimed at protecting giraffes, which are classified as vulnerable species in the wild. Such breeding programs help to foster healthy populations, promote species diversity, and raise awareness about the challenges these animals face in their natural habitats.
As the community rejoices in the arrival of Autumn’s latest calf, the Greenville Zoo continues to play a pivotal role in wildlife conservation and education, benefiting both animals and future generations of zoo visitors.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Greenville Zoo’s Mother Giraffe Gives Birth to New Baby
- WYFF4: Greenville Zoo Giraffe Pregnancy Announcement
- Greenville Online: Autumn, Greenville Zoo Giraffe, Expecting Seventh Baby
- The State: Giraffe Birth at Greenville Zoo
- Wikipedia: Giraffe
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
