Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Welcomed New Giraffe

A ten-month-old giraffe named Khari has arrived in Colorado Springs from North Dakota.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Wildlife

Bold vector editorial illustration of a young giraffe standing against a high-altitude mountain landscape in shades of sage, coral, and teal. — Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs has added a ten-month-old giraffe named Khari to its herd following his transfer from North Dakota. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has expanded its giraffe herd with the addition of a ten-month-old calf named Khari. The young giraffe arrived at the facility following a transfer from the Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot, North Dakota.

Why it matters

The relocation is part of a broader conservation effort known as the Giraffe Species Survival Plan. The zoo expects Khari to eventually contribute to the herd as a breeding bull.

Khari is a ten-month-old giraffe that successfully completed a transfer from North Dakota to Colorado Springs. He is currently undergoing a phased introduction to the established herd members.

The players

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Located in Colorado Springs, this facility is a nationally accredited zoo known for its hillside setting and extensive giraffe conservation programs.

Roosevelt Park Zoo

Situated in Minot, North Dakota, this institution participates in various animal management and conservation initiatives.

Khari

He is a ten-month-old giraffe calf who has relocated to Colorado as part of a formal species survival program.

The details

Khari transitioned to his new surroundings by walking out of a giraffe trailer upon his arrival. The zoo care team is managing the integration process by slowly introducing him to the existing herd, which includes Amani, Ohe, Wednesday, Thorn, and Kinda.

Khari arrived at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on September 17, 2026.
Khari was introduced to several herd members on September 18, 2026.

Culture Shift

The move aligns with the Giraffe Species Survival Plan, a standardized framework used by zoological institutions to manage the long-term genetic health of captive giraffes. This approach reflects a transition from simple display animals to managed conservation populations.

Visitors to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo can look for Khari as he completes his integration process with the herd. His arrival adds a new member to the zoo's popular giraffe exhibit for guests to observe.

The takeaway

Zoos utilize these collaborative transfers to ensure the long-term survival of giraffe populations through regulated breeding. Guests can support these efforts by visiting accredited facilities that prioritize scientific conservation programs.