You’ve probably heard by now that Chattanooga Zoo has added three male reticulated giraffes, but how much do you know about the new additions – and what does reticulated mean anyway?
The arrival of George, Porter and Hardee Star culminates a years-long, $2.5 million capital campaign the zoo dubbed “Reaching Great Heights.” This checks off Phase 1 of that master plan.
Phase 2 could add “hoof stock like gazelles and really cool things like warthogs,” says CEO and President Dardenelle Long.
Later phases would add more animals the zoo doesn’t have, as well as a covered pavilion for event rentals, instead of the current tent. It’s also possible another existing exhibit will have to be enlarged “if the meerkats keep having babies,” Long says, only half-joking.
To get you better acquainted with the new giraffes, we’ve answered a few questions you might have been wondering.