You Can Name The Cleveland Zoo's New Baby Giraffe

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is asking guests to choose the name of its new baby giraffe.

Guests will vote on three possible names for the calf: Kendi (meaning loved one); Nuru (meaning light), or Zuva (meaning day or sun).

Votes can be cast online or by visiting the Welcome Plaza at the zoo. Voting ends at midnight on Nov. 5. All donations received in the naming contest will support conservation programs, including those protecting giraffes.

The calf was born Oct. 13 to mom, Jhasmin, and dad, Bob. The calf was born weighing 150 pounds and standing 6 feet tall.

"The pandemic has had wide-ranging impacts on our world, including on many of our conservation partners we support abroad that help protect vulnerable species like giraffe,” said Chris Kuhar, executive director of the zoo. “By helping us name our newest giraffe calf, you are also supporting our conservation partners in their efforts to protect giraffe populations in Africa."

Each of the three possible names for the calf are pulled from the giraffe's native region in Africa. The zoo estimates that giraffe populations have decreased by 40 percent over the past 15 years.