Young Female Joins Sacramento Zoo Giraffe Herd

The Sacramento Zoo wildlife has grown with the addition of a 2-year-old female Masai giraffe.

After moving from the Los Angeles Zoo in mid-August, Shani is now getting to know the other four members of the giraffe herd, three Reticulated female giraffes and a male Masai giraffe, Chifu, her new companion.

According to her keepers, Shani and Chifu are getting along quite well.

"Eventually Shani and Chifu will become the nucleus of a Masai giraffe herd," said General Curator Harrison Edell.

Born Aug. 30, 2010, Shani is approximately 11 feet tall and is expected to stand between 16 and 19 feet when fully grown.

Her name comes from the Swahili word for "wondrous."

The Masai giraffe is the largest giraffe subspecies and is found in southern Kenya and Tanzania.

You can spot the difference between the Reticulated and Masai giraffes, as the Masai's spots are usually darker and irregular in shape.