Look who’s new
at the zoo

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

His breed may be known as the "sentinels of the savanna," but the Philadelphia Zoo’s new reticulated giraffe is anything but the stoic type.
These days, "Gus" can be seen frolicking around the zoo’s African Plains exhibit, sharing a leafy snack with new companion "Stella," extending his long neck to take a closer look at a passing peacock, or checking out his hundreds of adoring human visitors.
Like any normal 2-year-old, nourishment and curiosity seem to be his greatest motivators.
In truth, however, Gus was brought to the nation’s oldest zoo a little over a month ago to serve a much more profound purpose. With the zoo’s recent losses of longtime giraffe residents Puzzles and Twigga, Stella, now 7, was in need of a new companion.
Both of the zoo’s former giraffes were euthanized because of medical problems. Puzzles died at 27 in March. Twigga passed on in June at 29. Both were among the oldest giraffes in the country.
Giraffes have a typical life span of 20 years or so, according Chris Bartos, curator of ungulates — or hoofed animals — at the zoo.
As the health of Puzzles and Twigga declined over the months, zoo officials began planning to adopt Gus.
"We got him because we knew the other two would be leaving," Bartos said. "We knew we didn’t want Stella to be alone."
In human terms, Gus is the equivalent of a preteen. At about 10 feet tall and 900 pounds, he will eventually grow into an ideal breeding partner for Stella, zoo officials believe.
When is anyone’s guess at the moment.
"It depends on how tall he gets how fast," Bartos said. "I would guess it’ll be another year, but sometimes they surprise you."
Gus was born on July 8, 2006 at the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas. He was about 6 feet tall and 150 pounds. Within an hour or so, he was up and walking. Animals of his kind generally reach full adulthood by age 4 or 4-1/2, according to Bartos. By then, Gus is expected to tower over the 12-1/2-foot Stella by 3 feet or more.
Like their animal cousins, deer and cattle, giraffes are herbivores and ruminants, so they spend much of their time eating. Unlike grazing animals, however, giraffes are very selective in what parts of what plants they eat.
"They go from tree to tree and are selective eaters," Bartos said. "They eat certain leaves on certain leaves."
Naturally, they can afford to be fussy as the tallest land-based animals on Earth. Nothing else can reach high foliage as they can. In addition to their elongated necks, they have a long and dexterous tongue that they extend to grab particular leaves.
As a result, they don’t require an abundance of trees in their habitat, the grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa. Gus’ species is found in northeastern Kenya, along the borders with Somalia and Ethiopia. In fact, giraffes prefer open space for better protection.
"Their height helps them see predators, so they like to be able see (for distance)," Bartos said.
Adult giraffes can run 30 miles per hour or more over short distances and defend themselves in close combat with powerful kicks, so they face relatively little danger from predators.
"The only time they get nervous is when they’re drinking, because they have to bend down and their legs are spread out," Bartos said.
Humans actually pose the biggest threat to the animals.
"Most of it is human hunting and habitat loss, people cutting down trees," Bartos said.
Hunters mainly are after their meat, although giraffes live in harmony with people in many areas.
"They don’t conflict with people a lot," Bartos said. "They don’t eat your crops. They sort of mind their own business."
Their gentle appearance and disposition also win them a lot of fans.
"They’re awesome animals. They’re my favorites," said Bartos, who has worked at zoos for 25 years, including five at the Philadelphia Zoo. "There’s something about them. You look into their eyes and they look into your soul." ••
The Philadelphia Zoo is at 3400 W. Girard Ave. For information, including printable tickets and shuttle services, visit www.philadelphiazoo.org or call 215-243-1100.
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com