Latest news with #Mstari
CTV News
12-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
11-year-old endangered Masai giraffe at the Toronto Zoo is pregnant
An endangered Masai giraffe at the Toronto Zoo is expecting another calf. An endangered Masai giraffe at the Toronto Zoo is expecting another calf. The zoo announced on Sunday that Mstari, an 11.5-year-old Masai giraffe, is pregnant. Mstari, who belongs to an endangered species, is six months into her 13 to 16-month-long pregnancy and is doing well so far, a news release by the zoo says. Her due date is estimated to be late winter to early spring, 2026, based on her previous pregnancies, the zoo officials say. Mstari gave birth to another calf - Matu – in 2022 but the two-year-old giraffe died last summer while under general anesthesia for a castration procedure. For her third calf, Mstari was paired with 12.5-year-old Kiko as a part of a cooperative breeding program among accredited zoos called the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Masai Giraffe Species Survival Plan® (SSP). The Wildlife Care staff collected Mstari's feces three times a week to monitor her hormone levels in preparation for the introduction of the two animals. Their breeding introductions were carefully observed by the staff until Nov. 4, 2024, the zoo says. Two months later, the zoo's Reproductive Science team confirmed that Mstari showed normal hormonal signs of being pregnant after analyzing several months of her fecal samples for pregnancy hormones. Masai giraffes were designated as 'endangered' by the International Union for Conservation and Nature (IUCN) in December 2018. Less than 35,000 Masai giraffes live in the wild after a more than 50 per cent decline in the past 30 years due to illegal hunting and habitat loss, the zoo says. 'The reality for many species is simple: Out of sight, out of mind, and off the planet,' Dolf DeJong, CEO of Toronto Zoo says. 'Accredited zoos like your Toronto Zoo play a critical role in ensuring a better future for wildlife and wild spaces, and as Guardians of Wild we are proud to be contributing to the population of this endangered species.'
Toronto Star
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
Toronto Zoo's endangered Masai giraffe expecting third calf
The Toronto Zoo made a Mother's Day announcement saying that staff are looking forward to a new four-legged friend as Mstari, a Masai giraffe, is expecting another calf. The announcement was made on the zoo's social media accounts in connection with the holiday and said Mstari is approximately six months into her 13- to 16-month-long pregnancy. She is expected to give birth around late winter or early spring 2026.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Baby on the way for Toronto Zoo's Masai giraffe
The Toronto Zoo is celebrating Mother's Day by preparing for a new arrival, as Mstari, an 11 year old Masai giraffe, is expecting a calf. Mstari is six months into her pregnancy, which typically lasts between 13 to 16 months, and is doing well so far, the zoo said in a news release Sunday. Based on her previous pregnancies, the zoo said it expects the birth to happen between late winter to early spring 2026. WATCH | Sunday's announcement is Mstari's 3rd pregnancy, zookeeper says: The father is Kiko, a 12 year old giraffe. Their pairing was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Masai Giraffe Species Survival Plan, which is a co-operative breeding program among accredited zoos, the news release said. Mstari was born at the Toronto Zoo and lives with Kiko in the same paddock, zookeeper Amy Gerditschke said. Sunday's announcement marks Mstari's third pregnancy. One of Mstari's daughters went to the Calgary Zoo last fall and is set to participate in the same breeding program, she said. Masai giraffes are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, according to the Toronto Zoo's website. They are considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation and Nature. They typically live between 20 to 25 years, Gerditschke said. Fewer than 35,000 Masai giraffes survive in the wild, and the species has declined by more than 50 per cent in the last 30 years, according to Sunday's news release. Illegal hunting and habitat loss are their primary threats.
CBC
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Toronto Zoo's giraffe pregnant with her third calf
Mstari, an 11-year-old Msai giraffe, is expected to give birth between late winter and early spring 2026, the Toronto Zoo said on Sunday. One of Mstari's daughters went to Calgary last fall to participate in the same breeding program that she participated in and may have a calf of her own soon, zookeeper Amy Gerditschke said.
CBC
11-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Baby on the way for Toronto Zoo's Masai giraffe
Social Sharing The Toronto Zoo is celebrating Mother's Day by preparing for a new arrival, as Mstari, an 11 year old Masai giraffe, is expecting a calf. Mstari is six months into her pregnancy, which typically lasts between 13 to 16 months, and is doing well so far, the zoo said in a news release Sunday. Based on her previous pregnancies, the zoo said it expects the birth to happen between late winter to early spring 2026. The father is Kiko, a 12 year old giraffe. Their pairing was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Masai Giraffe Species Survival Plan, which is a co-operative breeding program among accredited zoos, the news release said. Masai giraffes are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, according to the Toronto Zoo's website. They are considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation and Nature. Fewer than 35,00 Masai giraffes survive in the wild, and the species has declined by more than 50 per cent in the last 30 years, according to Sunday's news release. Illegal hunting and habitat loss are their primary threats.
