Great Plains Zoo welcomes new giraffe, meerkats

The Great Plains Zoo has one tall new addition and five much smaller ones.

A reticulated giraffe named Mario arrived earlier this week from Lincoln Children’s Zoo, where he was born two years ago.

“Mario’s keepers from Lincoln say he is a confident and curious giraffe,” the Great Plains Zoo said in a statement. “He has distinctive markings inherited from each of his parents: brown spots with white speckles from mom Kendy and Mickey Mouse-shaped spots on his neck from dad Joey.”

Mario is approximately 12 feet tall and will continue growing until around age 4.

Mario “will need some time to quarantine and get used to his new care team,” the zoo said, including his 17-year-old counterpart giraffe, Olivia Dee.

Guests will be able to see Mario around the giraffe barn as he settles in, but daily public feedings have ended for the summer.

The zoo also has welcomed five 1 1/2-year-old meerkats in recent weeks from the Oakland Zoo. The all-male mob is comprised of Kai, Api, Ixigaza, Zimwi and Khoa, who have taken up residence in the African lion building’s new meerkat habitat.

At first, they will be viewable indoors only. Once they have acclimated, the mob will have access to their outdoor exhibit.

Meerkats Biff and Clementine will remain in the giraffe barn’s meerkat exhibit.

“When visiting any animal, particularly new arrivals, GPZ asks that guests do their best to remain calm, keep voices low and refrain from tapping on glass,” the zoo said. “We want to ensure that the animals feel calm and safe as they get used to their new homes.”

Here are some dates to know as the zoo wraps up summer operations:

• Sept. 2: Final day for the splash pad and zookeeper chats.
• Sept. 15: Final day for train rides, running weekends only starting Aug. 19.
• Sept. 29: Final day for carousel rides, running weekends only starting Sept. 3.
• Oct. 6: Final day for daily farm feeding.

Lions return to the Great Plains Zoo after decades-long absence