Hattiesburg Zoo introduces third giraffe. Learn more about the new addition
Hattiesburg Zoo is adding to its collection of giraffes, with one more joining mother Sue Ellen and her daughter Alberta.
Grace, a reticulated giraffe, arrived Tuesday morning at the zoo. She is Alberta's younger half-sister, since both share the same father, zoo officials said in a news release.
“When considering adding Grace to our tower, we looked at several factors including space and facility resources,” said Jeremy Cumpton, director of Conservation, Education and Wildlife. “Both our giraffe barn and their outdoor yard far exceed the animal husbandry guidelines for space required, and we built our facilities with the goal of adding to our giraffe population.”
According to animal husbandry guidelines, the Hattiesburg Zoo’s giraffe yard would easily hold 10 giraffes.
“While we don’t intend to grow to 10 giraffes, we do have space that allows for additional giraffes when it is appropriate,” Moore said.
The zoo acquired Grace from the Audubon Species Survival Center, where Sue Ellen and Alberta had lived before moving to Hattiesburg.
“Grace is of breeding age and the Audubon Species Survival Center chose to move her to our zoo rather than place her on birth control,” said Kristen Moore, Hattiesburg Zoo’s animal curator. “We are pleased they chose the Hattiesburg Zoo as the home for Grace.”
Grace is 2 ½ years old — about a year younger than Alberta. Sue Ellen is estimated to be between 20 and 22 years old. The mother and daughter pair arrived at Hattiesburg Zoo in May 2021.
“Sue Ellen and Bertie have thrived here in our care, and we expect that Grace will be a good fit in regard to compatibility,” Moore said.
The giraffes are a popular exhibit at Hattiesburg Zoo. The animals are visible from Hardy Street and visitors can book times to feed the giraffes for a small fee.
“We are so very excited to bring a third giraffe to the Hattiesburg Zoo,” said Rick Taylor, executive director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission.
Grace will be quarantined inside the giraffe barn for 30 days before joining Sue Ellen and Bertie in the yard. She should be in the outdoor exhibit near the middle of November for guests to see, but she will not yet be available for guest feeding.
“We hope that Grace will also join Sue Ellen and Bertie for feedings with guests sometime next year,” Cumpton said. “It will take her some time to get comfortable with her surroundings and with people, but we are looking forward to watching as her personality develops.”
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This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Reticulated giraffe comes to Hattiesburg MS zoo
