The donations are in, and the public has spoken. The Louisville Zoo proudly announces the name of the newest giraffe calf—Silvester.
The Zoo, along with Floyd Memorial Birthing Center, sponsored a contest that ended October 14 in which patrons could vote for their favorite of three baby names by donating money into a naming kiosk. Silvester, named after longtime giraffe keeper Silvia Zirkelbach who shares a June 27 birthday with the calf, beat out Cassius and Rudy as the most popular name.
If you haven't been to the Zoo lately to see Silvester, don’t look for a little guy. He's already seven feet tall and weighs more than 200 pounds. (Did I just write that? Who hasn't been to the Zoo this October? But if you haven't yet made the pilgrimage to the "World’s Largest Halloween Party," don't be frightened. It continues October 18-21 and 25-28 from 5:00-8:30 pm.)
Visit Silvester any day, weather permitting. He should be eating well, as proceeds from the successful naming contest are used to help feed the herd, including his mother and father, Malaika and Walker. I still wonder what they think of all the sugar-spiked cowboys and princesses who come visit them this time of year.
Photo: courtesy of the Louisville Zoo/Kyle Shepherd
