A giraffe calf was born on Tuesday of last week at Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield.
According to the zoo, the mother Emma and newborn are bonding and appear healthy. The gender of the giraffe is not yet known but the calf’s name is Gelner.
The name has special meaning to the zoo staff.
“Mark Gelner is a past president of the Friends of the Zoo board, and the Gelner family continues to be incredible supporters of the zoo,” said zoo spokeswoman Joey Powell.
“We could not do Brew at the Zoo without the generosity and help of the Gelner family and Heart of America. Plus, the logo for Brew at the Zoo features a giraffe. It was a unanimous decision to name the giraffe after the Gelner family.”
Visitors will not immediately be able to see Gelner.
The giraffe building was closed to the public Tuesday. However, it will open in the coming days and the status will be updated on the zoo’s social media accounts.
More:3 cheetah cubs born at Springfield zoo aren’t yet on exhibit, but see them on video
The zoo also updated the public on three cheetah cubs born Nov. 16. The cubs are not yet on exhibit. However, videos and photos have been regularly shared by the zoo.
The trio received their first wellness exam last week. There are two girls and a boy.
A contest to name the cheetah cubs will be announced the first week of January 2025.
SPRINGFIELD NEWS-LEADER