Blank Park Zoo Giraffe Has Entered Labor

Zola the reticulated giraffe is expected to give birth to her second calf at the Des Moines zoo.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Pregnancy

Bold vector editorial illustration depicting a quiet, sunlit wooden barn stall with clean straw bedding, centered within the frame. — Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines is monitoring expectant mother Zola, a reticulated giraffe, as she prepares to give birth to her second calf. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines is preparing for the arrival of a new calf as Zola, a 12-foot-tall reticulated giraffe, nears the end of her pregnancy. The zoo has moved the expectant mother into a separate area of the enclosure as part of its standard monitoring process.

Why it matters

The birth is a significant milestone for the zoo’s conservation efforts and managed breeding program. Keepers are monitoring the situation closely to ensure a safe delivery for both the mother and her second calf.

Zola is a 12-foot-tall reticulated giraffe who arrived at the zoo from Milwaukee. She is currently expecting her second calf, while the father, Jakobi, has sired five other calves at this facility.

The players

Zola

Zola is a 12-foot-tall reticulated giraffe who moved to the Des Moines area from Milwaukee.

Blank Park Zoo

Located in Des Moines, the zoo operates a managed breeding program for various animal species.

Jakobi

Jakobi is the father of the current calves and has successfully sired five other calves at the zoo.

The details

Keepers have relocated Zola to a private section of the giraffe enclosure to provide her with a quiet, controlled environment for the birth. The zoo has also activated a live stream of the area, allowing the public to monitor the expectant mother for signs of labor.

Zola was born in 2016.
Skye gave birth to a female calf on August 17, 2026.
This report was published on September 30, 2026.

Roadmap

This birth follows a pattern set by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan protocols. Such managed breeding efforts are essential for maintaining genetic diversity among reticulated giraffes in human care.

Residents and enthusiasts can follow the progress of the birth through the zoo’s dedicated live stream. The arrival of a new calf is expected to increase public interest in visiting the giraffe exhibit at Blank Park Zoo.

The takeaway

Giraffes typically require specialized, quiet environments during labor to ensure the health of both the calf and the mother. Regular monitoring via live streams has become a standard practice for zoos to keep the public engaged while maintaining animal safety.