COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has officially revealed the name of its newest Masai giraffe calf following a public voting campaign that drew thousands of responses.
The 3-month-old giraffe calf will be known as Jasper, after receiving more than 7,000 votes from supporters. Zoo officials announced the winning name just ahead of World Giraffe Day.
The calf was born on March 10 to 15-year-old mother Zuri in the zoo’s Heart of Africa exhibit. Zoo visitors and supporters were invited to help choose a name earlier this month, selecting from four finalists.
The options included BJ St. Pierre, a tribute to the calf’s father Bobbie; Jasper, inspired by the gemstone’s unique patterns; Patches, referencing the distinctive markings found on Masai giraffes; and Tim, a classic name chosen to symbolize the calf’s future adventures.
Jasper marks an important milestone for the zoo’s giraffe breeding program. While Zuri previously gave birth to Charlie in 2022 and Ralph in 2020, Jasper is the first offspring of 6-year-old father Bobbie.
The Columbus Zoo has welcomed 23 surviving giraffe calves over the years and continues to support giraffe conservation efforts around the world.
Masai giraffes are currently listed as endangered. Conservation groups estimate that only about 43,000 remain in the wild, with populations declining significantly over the past three decades.
According to zoo officials, the Columbus Zoo has raised more than $400,000 since 2009 to support giraffe conservation projects aimed at protecting the species and its habitat.
