Giraffe calves join family at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A pair of newborn giraffe calves joined their family for the first time Thursday on the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

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Maple and Zella, who were born in September, ventured out for their first time and joined the tower of Masai giraffe on the Kilimanjaro Safari Savanna, Dr. Mark Penning, vice president of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment said on social media.

“Born just a couple of months ago, these two have spent a lot of time bonding backstage with their moms Mara and Willow,” Penning said on social media. “The two baby besties took their time exploring their surroundings, staying near their moms and aunts, but also running around with the older ‘kids.’”

The pair of giraffes were also greeted by zebra, wildebeest and springbok.

Maple got her name because a spot on her skin looked like a maple leaf. Zella’s name translates from Slavic and African languages to “beautiful girl, who knows the path.”

Cox Media Group