Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Two female giraffes will soon arrive at the Tulsa Zoo, officials said.

Zoo spokeswoman Angela Evans says a 4-year-old giraffe named Lexi will arrive from the Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield, Mo., while a 2-year-old named Pili will arrive from the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita. Both will stay in quarantine for a time after arriving.

The females will join the Tulsa Zoo's one male giraffe, named Samburu. The three animals will live in the zoo's newly renovated giraffe barn. The zoo said its new African-themed observation deck
dubbed the "Mary K. Chapman Giraffe Experience" also is completed.

The Tulsa Zoo's veterinarian, Kay Backues, will accompany both animals during their trip to Oklahoma. Zoo officials say it's hoped Samburu eventually will breed with the two females.