Chester Zoo has recently welcomed Kris, a rare male giraffe, to its collection of creatures.
Joining the zoological gardens’ resident population of over 30,000 animals from more than 500 species, Kris is part of a mission to protect northern giraffes from extinction.
Leaving his previous home at West Midlands Safari Park, the three-year-old has travelled to Chester to meet the zoo’s female herd. Kris’s introduction has been planned meticulously, with the zoo’s expert conservationists carefully assessing breeding potential with determining factors like age, genetics and temperament.
Under 70,000 northern giraffes now exist in the wild, making them among the most endangered species of giraffe on the planet. Their numbers have been heavily impacted by human activities like poaching, habitat loss and conflict. The zoo hopes that the arrival of Kris will help strengthen its conservation breeding programme and allow the herd to produce new calves.
Giraffe keeper at Chester, Rosie Owen, commented that Kris has already settled into his new home. At three, he is still considered young for a giraffe, with the species living until 25 in the wild and much longer in captivity. The oldest giraffe recorded reached the age of 39.
Owen added that Kris is confident and getting to know his new housemates, five female giraffes. Four are older giraffes and considerably taller than the three-year-old who is assuming the role of Stanley, another male giraffe who was born in Chester and now a resident of Longleat Safari Park as part of the same programme.
Animal fans touring Chester can now visit Kris as he explores his brand-new habitat at the zoo, just beyond the city walls.