PEORIA, Ill. – The Peoria Zoo is announcing a new arrival.
Fitz, short for Fitniklaus, a one-year-old reticulated giraffe, was born April 2 at the Memphis Zoo.
Peoria Zoo officials say Fitz brings a youthful energy and bright future to the giraffe exhibit and will soon join two female giraffes, Vivian and Emy.
Fitz’s move to Peoria was coordinated through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, a collaborative effort to ensure healthy, genetically diverse populations of endangered species like the reticulated giraffe live on, the Peoria Zoo says.
“We will definitely miss his sweet, curious personality in our herd,” Amanda Schweighart, Curator of the African Veldt, Northwest Passage, and Teton Trek at Memphis Zoo, says. “He is very much like his dad, Niklas, whom he shares a birthday with. We know Fitz will acclimate and do well with his new herd in Peoria.”
While Fitz is still completing the standard quarantine period, he has already interacted with Vivian and Emy. Separated by a fence for now, the three giraffes have been seen nuzzling each other, offering a preview of the bonds already being formed, the zoo says.
“Fitz is a sweet little guy with a lot of personality and curiosity,” Fitz’s primary keeper Lauren says. “He’s going to fit in well with the girls, and they already love him as much as I, and the rest of the zoo crew, do.”
Fitz will finish quarantine next week, after that… zoo visitors will be able to see him exploring his new home with Vivian and Emy.
You can follow Peoria Zoo on social media for updates on Fitz’s journey and more behind-the-scenes stories HERE.
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