Come and meet the newest addition to your Toronto Zoo family in the Africa Savanna!
Daily Hours
10:00am - 3:00pm*
*Please note: For animal well-being, the Giraffe House will close promptly at 3:00pm. Lineups may close earlier depending on capacity. Viewing times are subject to change, as Mstari and her calf may take short breaks throughout the day. Thank you for giving them the quiet time they need to bond!
The community has spoken and the votes are in! The female Masai giraffe calf, born February 22nd and affectionally known as #Babylongneck, now has a name and we are so grateful to everyone who participated! This is the highest engagement we have ever had with a naming contest, a reflection of the love and support our community feels for the animals in our care at your Toronto Zoo. With more than 23,000 votes, there was a clear winner, and we’re thrilled to share the giraffe calf’s name is Imara, which is Swahili for strong, firm, and resilient, was one of five names included in the voting contest. The names were chosen through a partnership with the Kenyan Honorary Consulate in Toronto, ensuring the translation was fitting for this majestic, endangered species.
Your Toronto Zoo is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Masai Giraffe Species Survival Plan® (SSP), a cooperative breeding program among accredited zoos. Breeding introductions were carefully observed up to November 4, 2024 and in January 2025, our Reproductive Science team analysed several months of fecal samples for pregnancy hormone levels and confirmed that female giraffe, Mstari, was showing normal hormonal signs of being pregnant.
In December 2018, the conservation status of Masai giraffes was elevated to Endangered by the International Union for Conservation and Nature (IUCN). Fewer than 35,000 Masai giraffes survive in the wild, having experienced more than a 50% decline in the past 30 years. Illegal hunting and habitat loss are their primary threats. Your Toronto Zoo continues to support field conservation efforts for the species through the Wild Nature Institute’s Masai Giraffe Project.
By supporting animals like the Masai giraffe and the many other species that call your Toronto Zoo home, you’re helping to advance critical conservation efforts and essential animal care. Donations can be made today through our dedicated fundraising partners at the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy by visiting.
Celebrate Imara’s arrival by adopting her today! Your support helps the Zoo care for animals, offer educational experiences, and protect wildlife through vital conservation programs. By adopting Imara, you’re helping her thrive as she grows. Visit wildlifeconservancy.ca to learn more and be part of Imara’s journey from the very beginning.
Birth Announcement
