Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center Welcomes Reticulated Giraffe, Daisy

The Topeka Zoo is excited to announce the upcoming arrival of Daisy,a one-year-old reticulated giraffe on Monday, April 24. Daisy comes to Topeka from the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens in Jacksonville, FL. She will be joining Hope, Sarge, and Liz in our Giraffe & Friends exhibit, which opened on March 10.

Daisy arrived at 2:45 AM and calmly walked off the trailer into her new home. As part of our animal care protocol, Daisy will be quarantined in our new giraffe barn to ensure that she is healthy and acclimates well to her new surroundings. Because of her calm demeanor, the barn will stay open, making this one of those rare opportunities where guests can see a new animal during its quarantine period.

“We are excited to welcome Daisy into our giraffe herd,” said Animal Curator Wrylie Guffey. “She is a confident giraffe, but we are giving her time to settle into the barn and meet the other giraffes through nuzzles. Over the next several weeks, we will monitor the behaviors we see between Hope, Liz, and Daisy and determine the best time for Daisy to join them.”

Daisy’s arrival is an important step in the conservation efforts for this species, as she comes as recommendations from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP). The SSP is a program that ensures the long-term survival of endangered species in zoos and aquariums, and the Topeka Zoo is a proud part of this initiative.

“We are excited to see the Giraffe & Friends exhibit expand with the arrival of Daisy,” said Brendan Wiley, CEO. “This is an important moment for the Topeka Zoo, as it allows us to further educate and inform people about the importance of conservation efforts for endangered species like the reticulated giraffe.”

The Topeka Zoo is excited to welcome Daisy to the giraffe family and is looking forward to introducing her to its visitors, as well as “friends,” Lesser Kudu, Ostrich, Grey Crowned Crane, and Thomson’s Gazelle soon. Guests can visit the Giraffe & Friends exhibit to learn more about these incredible animals and the conservation efforts to protect their species.