Zoo beauty: baby giraffe Mkali brightens up the capital

A bright clumsy spotted female creature named Mkali was welcomed to the giraffe family at the National Zoo & Aquarium.

Mkali walked confidently around the enclosure under the watchful eyes of her big brother Themba and parents Mzungu and Shaba.

Mkali, which means “bright” in Swahili, reflects her physical features. While her father has a dark hide, Mkali has faint spots and and glittering hide that shines under the spring sun.

Mkali has captured the hearts of zoo-goers already. Picture by Karleen Minney

The healthy three-month-old baby giraffe was born in the early hours of the morning, without any complications. A welcome addition to the family, Mkali is a younger sibling to Kebibi, Nzuri, Khamisi and big brother Themba.

Mkali already has fans excited to see her. Primary school student Sienna said seeing a baby giraffe during the school holidays was the best thing to happen.

Wildlife supervisor Sophie Dentrinos said the calf was coming along quickly in her development and was expected to reach five metres in height.

National Zoo & Aquarium has announced the birth of a female giraffe calf named Mkali, a Swahili word for ‘bright’. Picture by Karleen Minney

“She has an enormous amount of energy and is drinking plenty of milk,” Ms Dentrinos said.

Ms Dentrinos said the zookeepers didn’t intervene in the mother’s delivery; it’s all up to the animals during the labour period.

Mzungu gave birth standing and Themba fell 1.5 metres to the ground. After she delivered her calf, Mzungu gave her an affectionate lick and she was standing and running in a few days.

The zoo is part of the international breeding program for giraffes, which aims to protect the gentle giants.

It is estimated the total population of giraffes globally has plummeted by 40 per cent over the past 30 years due to habitat loss and human destruction, including poaching for their meat, tails and pelts.

There are only approximately 117,000 giraffes left in the wild and the species as a whole is now categorised as endangered, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation says.

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Kerem Doruk joined the Canberra Times in 2023. He covers local stories in the national capital. You can email story ideas or tips to Kerem at
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