ends Far Beyond the Banks Young Girl’s Memory Honored in Naming of Riverbanks’ Giraffe Calf
Susan O'Cain, Public Relations Manager
Eight-year-old Amelia Attaway loved giraffes. She and her family had an opportunity to visit with Riverbanks’ giraffe herd in 2014 just prior to her death. Now, four years after her battle with brain cancer ended, the Zoo’s new giraffe calf has been named in Amelia’s honor. Amelia the giraffe was born on April 2. Shortly after her arrival, Riverbanks launched an online contest to name the calf with proceeds benefiting giraffe conservation and efforts to save the iconic species. Unbeknownst to the Zoo, this would become a fitting tribute to Amelia Attaway and her favorite animal. Giraffes are considered vulnerable in the wild. With once towering populations, the world’s tallest land mammal is largely under threat mostly because of habitat loss, illegal hunting and human encroachment. In fact, giraffes are now locally extinct in seven African countries.
CREATING CONNECTIONS.
INSPIRING ACTION.
IMPACTING CONSERVATION.
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