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Put Your Money Where Your 'Aww, Cute Giraffe' Comments Are, Zoo Asks

October 16, 2014, 10:00 PM

Like any savvy nonprofit, the Detroit Zoological Society knows a prime solicitation opportunity when it sees one.


The calf , born Sept. 30, and its five-year-old mother.

So it's no surprise that a male giraffe calf not yet three weeks old has its own fund-raising page at the zoo's website. Donors of $5 or more can vote here for one of five names proposed for the newborn.

There's no limit on the number of votes that can be cast, with one allowed each time an online credit card donation is made.

"Stick your neck out and choose your favorite moniker while supporting giraffe conservation efforts worldwide," the site says. "The name with the most amount of donations wins."

The baby -- which seems an odd word for a five-foot-tall animal -- arrived Sept. 30 as the son of a five-year-old mother named Kiruli (Shadow in Swahili) and a six-year-old father named Jabari (Brave One).

The offspring's name alternatives also are Swahili to evoke the species' African roots:

  • Ajabu (Wonderful)
  • Amani (Peace)
  • Kijana (Young Man)
  • Mpenzi (Love)
  • Zawadi (Gift) 

The society that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo doesn't say when the naming campaign ends. As noted, they're savvy folks.

-- Alan Stamm


Read more:  Detroit Zoological Society


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