LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Masai giraffe calf born at the Louisville Zoo earlier this month now has a name.
The zoo named the baby Silvia, in honor of longtime Zookeeper Silvia Zirkelbach. Zoo officials said the name serves as a nod to Zirkelbach's "43 years of commitment, compassion and expertise."
"I certainly never imagined something like this," Zirkelbach said Thursday in a news release. "I've been so fortunate to spend my career caring for these animals and working alongside such a dedicated team. To have this calf named after me is truly unexpected and incredibly meaningful. It's an honor I will cherish forever."
Silvia was born May 3 to mother Kianga and father Baridi, weighing 190 pounds and measuring 74 inches tall.
She's the 25th calf born at the zoo and has been nurtured off-exhibit while she bonds with her mother. Officials said Zirkelbach, who started her career as a volunteer in the giraffe area, has helped care for 22 of the zoo's giraffe calves over its 57-year history.
Zoo officials said Silvia "represents hope for a vulnerable species."
The zoo said Masai giraffes are native to East Africa and are the largest subspecies of giraffes, distinguished by their irregular, star-shaped spots that are unique to each individual giraffe. Officials said Masai giraffe numbers have "declined more than 50% in the last 30 years."
Silvia hasn't yet made her public debut. Officials said visitors will be able to see her as she "grows and explores her habitat in the coming weeks."
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