Maned wolf returns, new giraffe arrives at Louisville Zoo

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Louisville Zoo added two new members to its animal family.

Josie, a 2-year-old Masai giraffe from the Greenville Zoo in South Carolina, and Jessie, a 7-year-old maned wolf from the Phoenix Zoo in Arizona, now call the Louisville Zoo home.

Josie joins 8-year-old Kianga, 10-month-old Nyasi and 9-year-old Baridi in the Africa zone. The zoo said guests can easily spot her among the other giraffes due to her stockier build and lighter blonde coloring than Kianga, her female herd-mate.

Jessie's arrival marks the return of maned wolves after six months. She's currently in the holding yard until maintenance on her habitat is completed.

In December 2024, the zoo's only maned wolf, Sadie, was humanely euthanized after a decline in health related to her age and a long-standing chronic gastrointestinal disease.

She had two pups, Cora and Catina, in 2017. At the time, they were the first maned wolf pups born at the zoo in 10 years.

To learn more about the Louisville Zoo, click here.

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