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A day of celebration for Perth Zoo's tallest ladies

A day of celebration for Perth Zoo's tallest ladies

Perth Now20-06-2025
It will be a girls-only party at Perth Zoo on Saturday as the long-legged ladies strut their stuff on the ninth annual World Giraffe Day.
Kitoto, daughter Zahara and Aunty Ellie make up Perth Zoo's giraffe girl gang.
The tallest — nine-year-old Ellie — is the daughter of the world's tallest living giraffe, Forest, who lives at Australia Zoo in Queensland.
The smaller Kitoto, 15, is the matriarch of the herd, according to Perth Zoo giraffe keeper Rowan Weaver. Perth Zoo is celebrating International Giraffe Day on Saturday. Pictured are mother and daughter Giraffes Kitoto and Zahara (3) at the zoo. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The West Australian
'The three girls all have their own individual quirks,' Mr Weaver said.
'Kitoto has been a wonderful mother, having had three calves over the years, including Zahara.
'Ellie is very energetic and always quite curious to investigate what us keepers are doing.'
Mr Weaver said three-year-old Zahara was the 'precious' diva of the herd.
Giraffe populations in the wild have experienced a 40 per cent decline over the past 30 years and Mr Weaver said Saturday's celebrations raised awareness for the plight of giraffe in the wild. Perth Zoo is celebrating International Giraffe Day on Saturday. PIctured is Zahara (3) and her mum Kitoto and aunt Ellie at the zoo Justin Benson-Cooper Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The West Australian
'Our volunteer docents will run a special giraffe close encounter experience, where visitors can book in and get the chance to stand eye-to-eye with these incredible animals.
'Up-close, you really get a sense of how special, gentle and charismatic they can be, and it's these moments we hope form lifelong memories that encourage people to become passionate about saving wildlife.'
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