Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Welcomes Baby Giraffe, Names It After Contest Winner
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo announced the birth of a healthy reticulated giraffe calf on Monday, the first born at the facility in three years. The female calf, weighing 142 pounds and standing just over six feet tall at birth, has been named Aspen following a public naming contest that drew more than 12,000 entries from across the Pikes Peak region.
Head veterinarian Dr. Sarah Klein said the calf and her mother, Jasiri, are both doing well. Jasiri, an experienced mother of three, delivered the calf after a 15-month gestation period. The birth was closely monitored by zoo staff, who had been on round-the-clock watch for the past two weeks. Visitors can view Aspen and Jasiri in the giraffe barn during regular zoo hours.
The naming contest, conducted through the zoo's social media channels, offered five options chosen by the animal care team. Aspen received 38 percent of the vote, narrowly beating out Summit at 31 percent. Other options included Blanca, Columbine, and Telluride. The winning entry was submitted by eight-year-old Emma Nguyen of Fountain, who will receive a family zoo membership and a behind-the-scenes giraffe encounter.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's giraffe herd is one of the largest in North America, with 18 animals including the new calf. The zoo's giraffe feeding experience, where visitors can hand-feed the animals from an elevated platform, remains one of the most popular attractions, drawing more than 500,000 participants annually. The zoo has contributed to giraffe conservation efforts across East Africa through its Quarters for Conservation program.