From a Groundbreaking Birth to a New Generation: Meet Kiwavi

On September 17, 2025, African Lion Safari celebrated the birth of a very special giraffe calf — a healthy male named Kiwavi.

From his very first steps, Kiwavi has captured the hearts of guests and staff alike as he explores his surroundings, stays close to his mother, and begins to grow into the towering presence he will one day become. But Kiwavi’s story is about more than just a new arrival, it is the continuation of an extraordinary conservation legacy.

Kiwavi’s mother, Safari, holds a unique place in Canadian conservation history. Born on December 31, 2013, Safari was the first giraffe ever born in Canada through artificial insemination (A.I.), and only the second in the world at the time.

Her birth was a landmark achievement. Weighing 60 kg and standing 175 cm tall at birth, Safari was born to mother “Calgary” and father “Jimmy,” and quickly became a symbol of innovation in giraffe care and breeding.

Her arrival represented years of dedication from our animal care team, who worked tirelessly to develop advanced reproductive techniques aimed at preserving and strengthening giraffe genetics for future generations.

Giraffe populations have experienced a dramatic decline over recent decades. From approximately 140,000 individuals in 1998, numbers fell to nearly half by 2012. Several subspecies, including the Rothschild giraffe, are now classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with fewer than 1,100 individuals remaining in the wild.

Today, Safari has passed on not only her genetics, but also her place in a much larger story of conservation progress.

Her son, Kiwavi, represents the next generation of that work. Healthy, curious, and full of energy, he is already an important reminder of why programs like ours matter, in ensuring strong, diverse ex-situ populations that can help safeguard the future of this species.

Every milestone birth carries forward decades of expertise, innovation, and collaboration among animal care professionals dedicated to protecting giraffes both in professional care and in the wild.

From Safari’s historic arrival in 2013 to Kiwavi’s birth in 2025, African Lion Safari continues to build on a proud tradition of conservation leadership.

Each giraffe born here represents more than a moment of celebration, it is part of a long-term commitment to preserving genetic diversity, advancing reproductive science, and supporting global conservation initiatives.

As Kiwavi grows, so too does our hope for the future of his species.

Plan your visit “On Safari!™” this summer to see Kiwavi for yourself!