On 16 June, a baby giraffe was born at Tierpark Berlin – right on time for World Giraffe Day on 21 June. In cooperation with the long-time sponsor of its giraffe herd, housing association HOWOGE, Tierpark Berlin has now decided on a name for the new family member: the daughter of Amalka (8) and Jabulani (10) is called Frieda!
The name Frieda derives from the Old High German “fridu”, which means “peace”, “protection” or “security”. HOWOGE and Tierpark Berlin received several hundred name suggestions via their social media channels – and Frieda was one of the most popular. “The name expresses what we’re all wishing for in these troubled times: peaceful coexistence,” explained Zoo and Tierpark Director Dr Andreas Knieriem. He went on to thank Frieda’s sponsor for its generous support in replacing the giraffe herd’s indoor flooring: “Our giraffes are very lucky to have such a loyal sponsor that faithfully stands by them and the Tierpark – especially in these challenging times. We do not take this active commitment for granted.” Little Frieda is the third calf born to female giraffe Amalka. For the past few weeks, mother and daughter have been on view to the public in their outdoor area, where Frieda has been curiously exploring, galloping around with growing confidence, and getting to know the rest of the herd. Four other giraffes live at Tierpark Berlin alongside Amalka, Jabulani and Frieda.
Ullrich Schiller, Managing Director of HOWOGE, had the following to say: “We are pleased to be able to make a direct contribution to improving the living conditions of our sponsored animals here at the Tierpark. Renovating a giraffe’s living room is not exactly business as usual for us!” He added: “We care not only about our tenants, but also about protecting animals and their natural habitats in the long-term. We are therefore very happy to support Tierpark Berlin in this important task.” For several years now, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the giraffe as a threatened species. Population numbers of most of the nine giraffe subspecies are declining rapidly. Berlin World Wild, the conservation programme set up by Zoo and Tierpark Berlin, is supporting the Wild Nature Institute in Tanzania in its efforts to protect giraffes in their natural habitat. Researchers at this institute are studying the giraffes in Tanzania in order to make effective recommendations for their protection. They also run environmental education initiatives, particularly with schoolchildren, to inspire fascination and fondness for the world’s tallest land animal.
Giraffe facts:
- Around 60 kg at birth, with adult male giraffes weighing up to 1,200 kg
- 1.8 m tall at birth; a fully grown male can reach up to 5.5 m
- Life expectancy: 25 years
- Gestation period: around 15 months
- Tongues are blue and up to 50 cm long
- Seven neck vertebrae – the same as a human
- Can run at speeds of up to 55 km/h
- Only around 2,000 Rothschild giraffes currently left on the African savannah
