Zoo Contact: Kyle Shepherd
kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov
(O) 502-238-5331 (C) 502-744-5639
The Louisville Zoo, Kentucky’s State Zoo, is thrilled to announce the arrival of two animals with remarkably similar names. Josie, a 2-year-old Masai giraffe from the Greenville Zoo in South Carolina, and Jessie, a 7-year-old maned wolf from the Phoenix Zoo in Arizona.
About Josie
Josie has already charmed Zoo staff with her sweet personality and unique preferences. Keepers from both Greenville and Louisville have noted her fondness for mulberry browse, WASA crackers, and romaine lettuce.
Guests can easily spot Josie among the Zoo’s giraffe herd by her distinct characteristics: a stockier build with lighter blonde coloring than her female herd-mate Kianga, and freckles at the base of her ossicones (the bony, horn-like structure on giraffe heads). She joins 8-year-old, Kianga, 10-month-old male, Nyasi, and 9-year-old male, Baridi, in the Africa zone.
About Jessie
Jessie’s arrival marks the return of maned wolves to the habitat after a six-month hiatus. Her keepers describe her as confident and eager to engage in enrichment activities like feeder balls and puzzle feeders. Jessie seems to have a particular fondness for hardboiled egg yolks!
Currently, guests may occasionally spot Jessie in the holding yard. Once maintenance on her habitat is complete, she will be moved to the main habitat area.
About Masai Giraffe
Masai giraffes, native to East Africa, are the largest subspecies of giraffe. They are distinguished by their irregular, star-shaped spots which are like a fingerprint and unique to each individual animal. The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species categorizes giraffes as vulnerable with Masai giraffe populations declining by more than 50 percent in last 30 years due to habitat loss and poaching. The Louisville Zoo is committed to the conservation of this essential, iconic species through education, breeding programs, and support of preservation efforts in the wild.
About Maned Wolf
The maned wolf is native to South America and can be found throughout Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Uruguay. Though generally solitary, they form semi-monogamous pairs during the breeding season. Maned wolves are omnivores with half of their diet consisting of fruit, supplemented by small mammals, birds and reptiles, insects, nuts, eggs and grass. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists the maned wolf as near threatened.
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The Louisville Zoo, the State Zoo of Kentucky, is the top, non-profit, paid attraction in the state. The Zoo is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), a global alliance of zoos and aquariums.
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