Como Zoo Conservatory

1225 Estabrook Drive Saint Paul, MN 55103

Get Ready To Vote…for a Baby Giraffe Name At Como!

Elliott, Fonzie, or Sota?
Over The MEA Weekend, Como’s Visitors Will Decide

The honor of choosing the name for Como Zoo’s baby male giraffe was bestowed upon the many great and talented volunteers that help make Como Park Zoo & Conservatory bloom 365 days a year. With over 100 names suggested by the dedicated crew, zoo staff whittled it down to three finalists:

Elliott (a nod to the movie E.T.)
Fonzie (Ayyyyy, he’s so cool!)
Sota (he’s a MinneSOTA boy!)

Beginning Friday, October 18, and continuing through Como’s special Creepy-Crawly Creature Awareness Weekend (October 18-20), visitors to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite of the three. Ballot boxes will be stationed around Como for guests to vote for one of the three names. Voting will end at 4pm Sunday, October 20 and the winner will be announced on Como’s social media pages on Monday, October 21.

Como’s Volunteers were asked to submit names along with the reasoning behind their suggestions. Some names that were submitted offered creative takes on being tall, and some names honored a late great pet they once owned. In the end, the more whimsical names rose to the top.

Elliott was suggested multiple times, each citing the giraffe’s uncanny resemblance to the movie character E.T.

The name Fonzie is in reference to the 70s-80s hit television show “Happy Days” and character Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli. “The giraffe is ultra-cool, just like the Fonz”, was written on a submission ballot.

Sota was submitted with great reverence to the fine State of Minnesota, and that the baby giraffe is likely the only 6’ 4”, 160lbs baby ever to be born in Minnesota.

The new baby male, born Tuesday, September 10th, is the 8th calf born to Clover and the 23rd giraffe birth at Como Zoo in the last 25 years. The yet-to-be named male weighed 160 pounds at birth (Clover’s largest to date) and stands 6’ 4” tall. Como’s current herd currently consists of Clover, Daisy, Skeeter (father), Penelope, and the new male. This is Skeeter’s 7th offspring, 5 of which have been female.

The giraffe is available for sponsorship. Sponsoring an animal is a unique way to help Como Zoo with its wildlife conservation efforts. Donations support enhanced habitats and efforts to maintain the best care possible for the animals at Como Zoo. For more information visit: https://comofriends.org/give/sponsor-an-animal/

###

Como Zoo Baby Giraffe

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share
0 Shares

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. carol behan says

    I love the name Jabori, he is a giraffe and a beautiful one
    this name of course is not even in the selection

  8. Debbie Brevig says

    My golden retriever, ‘Sota, would very much love for the baby giraffe to be named after him. 😉🥰

  10. Nancy McIndoe says

    He does look like E.T. in the picture above!! However, considering he’s already surpassed several standards (6’4″ & 160 lbs and 1st boy) that distinguish him from other Giraffes, I think Sota (MinneSOTA) would be a proud name for him! Also this would allow his birth location to follow him wherever he goes.

  11. Cindy says

    I like Elliott. It’s a nice respectable name for a beautiful animal. Sota would be my second choice. I like the connection to MinneSOTA.

  12. Paulette B says

    Elliott is so cute. My great nephew would be honored. He’s a middle child and loves animals
    Oh so cute

  17. Corrine Mahoney says

    I love them all. I see ET in him and he certainly is cool. Sota makes a big statement and has my vote.
    I’m glad I didn’t have to start from scratch.
    Have a great life representing Minnesota’s first big boy.