The Maryland Zoo has officially named its newest baby giraffe 'Titali,' which means 'butterfly' in the Bulu language, following a unique naming contest for donors. According to FOX Baltimore, zoo enthusiasts who donated $100 or more were entered into a contest, with the winner having the privilege of suggesting names for the zoo's staff to choose from. Titali's name carries a special symbolism, connecting her to her mother, Kipepeo, whose name also means butterfly, but in Swahili.
The birth of Titali was a surprise for the zookeepers after Kipepeo, a four-year-old reticulated giraffe, was moved to the zoo without their knowledge of her pregnancy. As reported by ABC27, it wasn't until zookeepers noticed a change in Kipepeo's behavior on March 26 that they realized she was about to rapidly to give birth. Titali was then introduced to another giraffe, Kesi, as part of her acclimation to the new environment.
Proceeds from the naming contest will go directly to support the zoo’s animal care and conservation programs. Mammal Curator Erin Cantwell-Grimm stated, per WMAR2 News report, “Giraffe are cautious when it comes to new experiences and, right now, everything is new to Titali, from the sounds in the barn to interacting with staff and the other giraffe." This caution means that Titali will take some time before she is ready to be viewed by the public within the zoo's Giraffe House, which remains closed for now.
Currently, visitors to the Maryland Zoo can meet the Okapi, another resident giraffe housed in the outside habitat. WMAR2 News says Titali continues to slowly get accustomed to her surroundings, including the other animals, the staff, and the various sounds of the zoo. The zoo aims to allow guests to meet Titali in a few weeks, once she is comfortable with her new environment and ready to interact with larger groups of people.
