by A young giraffe has arrived at his new home at Caldwell Zoo Friday.
TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – A young giraffe has arrived at his new home at Caldwell Zoo Friday.
The reticulated giraffe, named Freddy, was relocated from Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas.
Young giraffe ‘Freddy’ welcomed to Caldwell Zoo(Caldwell Zoo)
“Freddy is a strong and handsome boy,” Spokesperson for Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Molly Shea said in a release. “He has developed a fondness for treats—especially lettuce.”
Shea also stated Freddy is “thoughtful and observant” and takes his time to get used to his surroundings before releasing his energetic personality.
Freddy’s move has been in the works for over a year, even before he was born on Feb. 3, 2025, in an effort to preserve his endangered species.
Young giraffe ‘Freddy’ welcomed to Caldwell Zoo(Caldwell Zoo)
“Although giraffes are big animals, they are also very sensitive. So, we worked closely with the professionals at Fossil Rim to get everything just right,” Scott Maddox, President and CEO of Caldwell Zoo said in a release.
Freddy was moved as part of the Giraffe Species Survival Plan, which aims to maintain a genetically diverse population of the endangered animals.
Young giraffe ‘Freddy’ welcomed to Caldwell Zoo(Caldwell Zoo)
“This is a win for all of us involved in giraffe conservation. By carefully following breeding guidelines, we can maintain a healthy genetic stock of these animals,” Curator of Mammals Scotty Stainback said in a release. “We’re very thankful for our partners at Fossil Rim, and we’re proud to do our part in protecting these endangered giraffes.”
Freddy is expected to participate in the zoo’s breeding program once he grows to maturity.
