The Birmingham Zoo has announced the winning name for its 12-day-old baby giraffe.
The Zoo announced Jan. 13 that the baby boy giraffe has been named Griffin after a Facebook naming contest for its newest edition ended.
Griffin was born at 12:12 a.m. on Jan. 1, making him the first giraffe birth of any North American accredited zoo.
Between Jan. 6 and noon on Jan. 13, those “following” the Birmingham zoo on social media were asked to vote on the Zoo’s Facebook page to choose their favorite name out of three names pre-selected by the zookeepers.
More than 2,800 votes were cast for either Griffin, Kwame or Patton with Griffin emerging as the favorite.
As a way of thanking the community for participating in the Facebook naming contest, the Birmingham Zoo awarded one voter a one-year family membership package to the zoo and a behind-the-scenes tour of the giraffe exhibit.
With the addition of Griffin, the Birmingham Zoo now has five giraffes in its collection.
Zookeeper Amanda Hawkins said the zoo continues to monitor the baby giraffe’s progress.
“Griffin has been doing great. He has been outside during the warmer days of this month, is continuing to nurse and is thriving in his environment,” Hawkins said. “His energy level remains high and he is constantly on the go, running and playing.”
Since his birth, the reticulated giraffe has grown three inches, zoo officials said, and now stands at a healthy six-feet and five inches tall.
In the coming weeks, zoo officials said guests can see Griffin in the Savannah Yard.
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For more information on Griffin or the Birmigham Zoo, visit birminghamzoo.com.
