Theo, a three-year-old male Masai giraffe, recently joined the Santa Barbara Zoo family as part of the Masai giraffe Species Survival Plan (SSP), a program that aims to maintain the genetic diversity of threatened and endangered species in human care.
Theo, who came to Santa Barbara from the Cincinnati Zoo, was recommended for the SSP by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
As an AZA-accredited institution, the Santa Barbara Zoo is committed to conservation and actively participates in SSP programs to protect and preserve endangered species.
Theo’s arrival marks a milestone for the zoo, highlighting its dedication to the survival of Masai giraffes.
“We are delighted to welcome Theo to our zoo,” said Dr. Julie Barnes, the zoo’s vice president of Animal Care & Health. “His presence will allow us to continue the important species survival work for this endangered population.
“Our wonderful animal care team is enjoying getting to know Theo, and we can’t wait for you all to meet him, too.”
The name Theo means “gift” and his keepers describe him as having the sweetest personality. One of the Santa Barbara Zoo’s senior keepers had the opportunity to fly to Cincinnati to meet Theo to get to know him and learn his trained behaviors from his keepers there.
With the arrival of Theo, the Santa Barbara Zoo’s Masai giraffe herd now numbers four, including Adia, Audrey, and Raymie, who was born in 2022.
The giraffes at the Santa Barbara Zoo are among more than 120 Masai giraffes that live at 28 North American zoos accredited by the AZA.
The Santa Barbara Zoo invites community members to visit the zoo to celebrate Theo’s arrival and learn more about the importance of giraffe conservation.
Another way to help is to become a Foster Feeder sponsor of the giraffe herd. Foster Feeders at all levels will receive a personalized Foster Feeder certificate (includes honoree’s name and animal photo) and recognition on the Foster Feeder board at the zoo. Various donation levels are available with different benefits For more, click here.
The zoo thanks Premier Foster Feeders of the Masai giraffe herd, including the McGraw Family (sponsor of Raymie); Dreier Family, sponsor of Audrey; and in loving memory of Polly Blackburn, sponsor of Adia.
In 2018, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced Masai giraffes are endangered. There are an estimated 37,000 Masai giraffes in Kenya and Tanzania, but a more thorough census is required.
They are at risk due to poaching and habitat loss and degradation. Giraffes are the tallest land mammal, and the Masai is the largest subspecies, growing up to 17 feet tall and weighing 2,700 pounds.
For more about the Santa Barbara Zoo, visit www.sbzoo.org.