Blank Park Zoo Is Reaching New Heights as Two Giraffes Prepare for Motherhood
Double the moms. Double the calves. Double the excitement.
DES MOINES, Iowa (June 18, 2026) – Two of Blank Park Zoo's tallest residents are expecting. The Des Moines zoo is preparing for a summer baby boom as reticulated giraffes Skye and Zola are both pregnant and due later this summer. Behind the scenes, animal care staff are preparing to welcome two calves to the Zoo's growing herd. The births are especially significant as reticulated giraffes are considered endangered in the wild.
The pregnancies mark an exciting milestone for the Zoo and its giraffe program, which participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), a cooperative conservation breeding program designed to help maintain healthy and genetically diverse giraffe populations in accredited zoos.
The father, Jakobi, has been a part of Blank Park Zoo's giraffe herd since 2006. He previously sired Raza with Skye in 2021 and Bakari with Zola in 2022, along with three other calves born at the Zoo.
Animal care staff have been closely monitoring both expectant mothers throughout their pregnancies. While giraffes are the tallest land animals on Earth, their calves enter the world ready to stand and walk within hours of birth. Newborn giraffes typically stand about six feet tall and weigh between 100 and 150 pounds.
Guests visiting the Zoo this summer may notice subtle changes in the giraffes as their due dates approach. Animal care staff will continue providing specialized care and monitoring to ensure the health and well-being of both mothers and their calves.
"These pregnancies are incredibly exciting for our team and our guests," Blank Park Zoo President & CEO, Anne Shimerdla, said. "Every giraffe birth represents an opportunity to inspire people to care about a species facing significant challenges in the wild."
Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching have contributed to significant population declines across Africa. Blank Park Zoo supports giraffe conservation through its partnership with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and participation in AZA conservation and breeding programs that help protect the species and raise awareness about the threats giraffes face in the wild.
The announcement comes just ahead of the Zoo's monthly Discover the Wild Day on Sunday, June 21. This month's event will celebrate World Giraffe Day, an international observance held annually on the longest day of the year in honor of the world's tallest land animal. The family-friendly celebration will feature giraffe-themed activities, educational experiences, animal encounters, and video game-inspired fun throughout the Zoo, while highlighting the importance of giraffe conservation and the efforts underway to protect giraffes for future generations.
As anticipation builds for the arrival of the two giraffe calves, guests are encouraged to visit throughout the summer to follow Skye and Zola's journey firsthand. Zoo memberships offer unlimited daytime visits and the opportunity to experience every milestone along the way. Tickets, memberships, and updates are available at blankparkzoo.com.
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About Blank Park Zoo
Blank Park Zoo, celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026, is Iowa’s only AZA-accredited zoo. It is dedicated to inspiring an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education, research, and recreation. Home to more than 2,200 animals representing over 200 species, the Zoo is the second largest cultural attraction in Iowa. Visitors can experience the indoor tropical rainforest and aquarium in the Discovery Center, or feed giraffes along the Africa boardwalk. The Zoo’s conservation initiatives protect wildlife both around the globe and right here in Iowa. Events such as Zoo Brew and Night Eyes make the Zoo a year-round destination.