Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, having a bit of a baby boom this year, welcomes the birth of a fourth baby giraffe. Entering the world at 6-feet tall and 155 pounds, Bonsu delighted members of the animal programs team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the early morning hours on Sunday September 28.
Bonsu’s name means biggest and strongest fish in the sea and is inspired from the Akan language in Ghana. Since the park opened in 1998 Bonsu is the fourth male and 11th giraffe overall born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
He is also the second calf for his mother Nikki whose first offspring, a female named Rori, was born in 2006. She can be seen today on the Savannah at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Animal programs team members welcomed three other giraffes earlier this year;
- Makena, whose name means “Happy One” in Swahili, was born on Leap Day February 29 weighing in at 118 pounds and five-five, six inches tall.
- Marley was born March 14 and weighed 122 pounds and stood just under six feet.
- AJ arrived March 27, standing about six feet tall, and weighing in at 145 pounds at birth.
When these giraffe calves grow up, each of them could be as tall as 15 – 18 feet. The newest calf and his mother are doing fine and are expected to rejoin their herd on the Savannah at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the next few weeks.
