Giraffe Mdomo set sail last week on her way to join half-sister Shira at Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park.
Mdomo's relocation as part of the Australasian zoos' regional breeding programme for giraffe, comes just three months after Shira joined Orana's female herd.
Auckland Zoo Pridelands team leader, Nat Sullivan, predicts the two giraffes, who were born within just four months of each other and became great mates growing up, will be quick to recognise each other.
For updates on Mdomo's journey, follow Auckland Zoo on Facebook.
Giraffe fast facts
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Auckland Zoo giraffe Mdomo, born in November 2013, is the offspring of male Zabulu (a Rothschild’s giraffe) and female Kiraka.
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The Rothschild's giraffe (Uganda) has an estimated wild population of just 670 animals. An additional 450 are in zoos worldwide – a valuable insurance population.
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There is just one species of giraffe, the world’s tallest land animal, but nine sub-species. Since 1998, habitat loss and poaching has resulted in giraffe populations plummeting from 140,000 individuals to just 80,000 individuals today.
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Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund supports the research and conservation work of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) whose research has led to two giraffe sub-species (Rothschild’s and West African being formally classified as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List.
Council-controlled organisation Regional Facilities Auckland manages major regional facilities and iconic venues across Auckland, including Auckland Zoo.
