Meet Nyasi (nee-YAH-see)!
Nyasi means “grass” in Swahili language. Giraffe inhabit the tall savanna grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa.
The Louisville Zoo asked fans and advocates to participate in naming its male giraffe calf, and the people have spoken. Neary 4,000 votes were cast from individuals throughout Kentucky and southern Indiana as well as 38 states plus the district of Columbia during a two-week voting period, with Nyasi emerging as the favorite by an eight-vote margin. This name was selected from three options that reflected both the calf’s spirited personality and the native habitats of Masai giraffes.
The Zoo welcomed Nyasi into the family on August 9. He is the offspring of doting mother, seven-year-old, Kianga, and towering father, eight-year-old Baridi.
The giraffe family can be seen daily in the giraffe yard. Guests can also watch the trio bond behind-the-scenes on the Zoo’s giraffe camera at louisvillezoo.org/giraffecam.
Masai giraffes, native to East Africa, are the largest subspecies of giraffe. They are distinguished by their irregular, star-shaped spots which are like a fingerprint and unique to each individual animal.
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