New Breeding Bull: Giraffe Finn Moves to Prague Zoo

Prague Zoo has welcomed a new breeding bull. Eight-year-old male giraffe Finn arrived in Prague from the Beekse Bergen Safari Park in the Netherlands and is already on display for visitors.

Prague Zoo is strengthening its giraffe breeding programme with a new male from the Netherlands. The eight-year-old Finn is expected to help breed the critically endangered Nubian giraffe.

Finn stands more than five metres tall, weighs 1,238 kilograms and is in excellent physical condition, according to the zoo. The bull belongs to the Nubian giraffe subspecies and is expected to play a key role in rebuilding a stable breeding group at Prague Zoo.

“The arrival of the male is the result of several years of effort and also marks the continuation of the rejuvenation of our giraffe herd,” said Barbora Dobiášová, the zoo’s curator of hoofed mammals.

Following the deaths of several older animals and a subsequent pause in breeding, the number of giraffes at the Africa House fell to a historic low of just six animals in 2023. With the birth of the female Johanka in summer 2024, the arrival of the young giraffe Niara from Leipzig in March this year, and Finn’s arrival, the zoo now aims to rebuild a stable breeding group for the long term.

Foto: Petr Hamerník | Zoo Praha

Transport delayed by animal disease

According to the zoo, finding a suitable and genetically compatible breeding bull was not easy. Transporting giraffes is particularly challenging due to their size and requires specially built, extra-high transport trailers.

The move was further complicated by the spread of bluetongue disease across Western and Central Europe. Veterinary protection measures temporarily restricted or completely prevented the transport of even-toed ungulates between European Union member states.

Eventually, the coordinator of the European Endangered Species Programme recommended the giraffe bull from Beekse Bergen Safari Park near Tilburg, the largest zoo in the Netherlands. Finn was born there on 19 March 2018.

His mother, Theluji, is considered the largest of the Dutch zoo’s almost 20 female giraffes. Before his departure, Finn was also the strongest bull in the herd.

Foto: Petr Hamerník | Zoo Praha

Predecessor Johan sired 30 calves

Whether Finn will prove as successful as his predecessor Johan remains to be seen over the coming years. Expectations are high: Johan lived at Prague Zoo for more than 18 years and sired a total of 30 calves during that time, making him the most successful giraffe bull in the zoo’s history.

Prague Zoo has kept Nubian giraffes, formerly known as Rothschild’s giraffes, since the 1970s. This subspecies of the northern giraffe is classified as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

The zoo’s giraffe herd, which now numbers nine animals, can be seen in the spacious African Savanna enclosure alongside zebras, oryx antelopes and ostriches.

Until the end of August, visitors can also observe the giraffes after 5 pm. Admission to the zoo is then reduced to just CZK 100.

Prague Zoo (Zoologická zahrada hl. m. Prahy)
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