SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) \u2014 A new baby giraffe is drawing attention at Utah\u2019s Hogle Zoo.<\/p>\n
Baby Hal is still adjusting to life outside the womb, staying close to his mom, nursing often and slowly gaining confidence as he explores his surroundings.<\/p>\n
But Hal\u2019s story is much bigger than one baby giraffe.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiraffe are going through what is called a silent extinction,\u201d said Melissa Dacumos, associate director of animal care at Utah\u2019s Hogle Zoo.<\/p>\n
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Dacumos has dedicated her career to caring for giraffes and protecting their future.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir numbers are really dwindling in the wild,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She oversees the Africa and Savannah areas at Hogle Zoo and serves on an international conservation team working to manage giraffe populations worldwide.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m currently on what is called the Giraffe SSP Management Group,\u201d Dacumos said. \u201cSo we\u2019re all a community. We all want what\u2019s best for giraffe.\u201d<\/p>\n
The reality facing giraffes is sobering. Several subspecies are critically endangered, and two species are classified as endangered.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why births like Hal\u2019s matter.<\/p>\n
Hal is the second giraffe born at Hogle Zoo in just one year, part of a carefully coordinated breeding program designed to help maintain healthy giraffe populations in human care.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo Hal\u2019s father is Ja, who is our current bull. He came to us from the Memphis Zoo,\u201d Dacumos said.<\/p>\n
Named after NBA star Ja Morant, Ja plays an important role in the zoo\u2019s breeding program.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll continue to breed our adult females for the foreseeable future,\u201d Dacumos said.<\/p>\n
One day, Hal could follow a similar path, potentially moving to another zoo to support conservation efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe babies that are born here may stay here or they may actually go and help populate other zoos as well,\u201d Dacumos said. \u201cThat\u2019s one of the ways we can actually help keep a sustainable population within human care.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zoo leaders say they are planning for more giraffes in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe definitely are,\u201d Dacumos said. \u201cWe are leaning into having a robust breeding herd.\u201d<\/p>\n
But conservation often begins with something simple, connection.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt starts with maybe seeing a giraffe in person and feeling that love and inspiration to go do more in the wild,\u201d Dacumos said.<\/p>\n
For Dacumos, that moment happened decades ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just remember being so in awe of their presence,\u201d she said. \u201cOf course, I knew that they were beautiful but to be truly up close is what solidified a love of giraffe for me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
For now, Hal is just learning to walk, nurse and grow. But his baby steps today could help protect giraffes tomorrow.<\/p>\n
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