Breeding Male Giraffe Arrives at Prague Zoo

The first look at the face of the new breeding male giraffe, here still at his home Safaripark Beekse Bergen. Photo: Oliver Le Que, Prague Zoo

“The arrival of the male is the result of several years of effort and at the same time a continuation of the rejuvenation process of our giraffe herd,” says Barbora Dobiášová, Curator of Ungulates. Due to the loss of several individuals that had reached an exceptional age, followed by a pause in reproduction, the number of giraffes in the African House dropped to a historic minimum in 2023—just six animals. “The birth of Johanka in summer 2024, the arrival of the young female Niara from Leipzig this March, and now the recent arrival of the male Finn are all planned steps towards restoring a stable breeding herd,” Dobiášová summarises.

Finding a suitably aged and genetically compatible male of the Nubian subspecies of the northern giraffe was no easy task. The already demanding transport of giraffes—requiring the very tallest transport trailers—was further delayed by bluetongue disease. Veterinary measures responding to its spread across Western and Central Europe have complicated or even prevented the transport of even-toed ungulates between EU member states, which also affects giraffes.

The coordinator of the European Ex situ Programme (EEP) ultimately recommended a male from the largest zoo in the Netherlands, Safaripark Beekse Bergen on the outskirts of Tilburg. Finn was born there on 19 March 2018. His mother, also Dutch-born and named Theluji, is the largest of the nearly twenty females kept there. This is reflected in her son, as Finn was also the most robust male at the time of his departure.

Head Keeper of Ungulates Aleš Doležal (left) travelled to the Netherlands to see Finn in person. Here he documents an important stage of veterinary training so that it can be continued in Prague. Photo: Oliver Le Que, Prague Zoo

After weaning, Finn lived in a bachelor herd and will therefore have his first opportunity to breed at Prague Zoo. “He has a reputation as a calm and gentle animal, which he confirmed immediately after his arrival. He is very kind to all the females and also to us, his keepers,” says Head Keeper of Ungulates Aleš Doležal. According to him, the fact that the male lived in a mixed-species enclosure is clearly reflected in his behaviour. “He appears curious and, despite the typically conservative nature of giraffes, it seems that no amount of activity bothers him and nothing unsettles him,” he adds, noting that Finn has already been introduced to eight Prague females and the keepers are now awaiting the first of them to come into oestrus.

Finn’s height of over five metres stands out in comparison with other giraffes—especially the younger females, which are smaller. Photo: Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Whether Finn will take on the role of breeding male as successfully as his predecessor will only be revealed in time. The bar is set very high: the previous male, Johan, lived at Prague Zoo for more than 18 years. During that time, he sired 30 offspring, making him the most reproductively successful male giraffe in the history of the zoo. At the time of his death, aged 23 years, 7 months and 6 days, he was also the oldest male recorded in the European studbook.

Females Johanka and Niara show interest in Finn. Photo: Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Nubian giraffes (formerly referred to as Rothschild’s giraffes) have been kept at Prague Zoo since the 1970s. This subspecies of the northern giraffe is currently listed as “Critically Endangered” on the IUCN Red List.

The nine-member giraffe herd can be seen at Prague Zoo in the spacious African Savannah enclosure alongside zebras, oryxes and ostriches. Every day at 11 am (weather permitting), a giraffe talk also takes place at the nearby viewing platform. Giraffes can be seen outdoors even after 5 pm, when zoo admission costs just CZK 100, a special offer valid until the end of August.