Denver giraffe temporarily moves to Colorado Springs

A 5-year-old giraffe from the Denver Zoo will temporarily move south to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs to support conservation efforts, zoo officials announced Friday.

Several of the female giraffes in Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s herd have been recommended for potential breeding under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums‘ (AZA) Giraffe Species Survival Plan, but Khalid, the zoo’s 17-year-old breeding bull, died last month, according to the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance.

Jasiri, a reticulated giraffe at the Denver Zoo, will spend a few months at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for those breeding efforts, according to the organization.

“Reticulated giraffes are classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species,” Denver zoo officials wrote on social media. “We’re proud to play a role in supporting this incredible species through collaborative conservation efforts like the (Species Survival Plan).”

Zoo officials did not specify how long Jasiri would stay at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, but said he is expected to return to Denver later this year.