Denver Zoo's giraffe calf finally has a name: Thorn
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DENVER (KDVR) On March 7, the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance announced that it had a new member of its journey of giraffes, and on Tuesday, the new member was finally given a name.

After a 444-day pregnancy, BB, an adult reticulated giraffe, gave birth to a healthy male calf.

BB welcomed the newborn alongside her mate, Jasiri, and the Denver Zoo staff.

It was a great day for the new parents, the zoo and the reticulated giraffe population as a whole. The reticulated giraffe is an endangered species, but has one more member on its roster after the birth of the calf.

To help the newborn strengthen its relationship with the community of Denver, the zoo decided to allow the public to select the calf’s name in a vote.

Nearly two months later, and the results are in. The Denver Zoo announced in a social media video that the baby giraffe’s name is… Thorn!

The name was derived from the thorny acacia trees that giraffes love.

Thorn was featured in the video alongside his tower of giraffes and Animal Care Specialist Amanda Faliano.

Thorn had previously been living in isolation while he forged a bond with his parents and uncle Dobby, but is now in the public eye as visitors to the zoo can visit him in his new home.

During his time in isolation, it is very apparent how much he has grown, as he now weighs 259 pounds, more than 100 pounds heavier than he was at birth, according to the zoo. He isn’t eating solid food quite yet, but looks to be mimicking the other giraffes when they chomp at the trees.

A lot more coordinated than his previous viewing, Thorn seems to be very active and social. Faliano said he loves to play with his toys and enjoys when the zoo staff and guests interact with him.

The funds were used on new enrichment items to help the giraffes stay engaged physically and mentally, nutritious browse, a specialized supplement that supported BB during the pregnancy and a soft, supportive substrate that helped ensure a safe and sound arrival for Thorn.

Faliano said the zoo is thankful for the support and the help in naming their baby boy.

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