ZooParc Overloon welcomes new resident: giraffe Dhakija arrived

ZooParc has welcomed a new giraffe. Net giraffe Dhakija arrived at the zoo in Overloon a few days ago.

10-year-old Dhakija came from the German zoo Thüringer Zoopark Erfurt. By now the giraffe is completely accustomed to her new home, notes head of animal care Steven van den Heuvel: "Dhakija is doing very well in our group."

"Dhakija is easy to recognize: she is the biggest of the bunch. A nice touch is that she has already lived with one of our other giraffes, Limber, for a few years in Erfurt. It is wonderful to see how, after being separated for a few years, they still recognize each other. It also creates beautiful harmony in our group. That is good to see, after Naomi's death last year," Van den Heuvel said.

Endangered speciesThe net giraffe, recognizable by its net-like spotting pattern, is an endangered species. The population of this giraffe species is declining. In the past 20 years, nearly 65 percent of the net giraffe population has disappeared. About 8,000 still live in the wild.

This is due in part to habitat reduction, northeastern Africa, and poaching. Consequently, there is a breeding program for the net giraffe. With the arrival of Dhakija, ZooParc Overloon contributes to this. With her arrival, the group of giraffes in ZooParc consists of four animals again.

Special birth in the same residenceIn the netgiraffe's enclosure also live the brazzamer cats. A special birth took place there. A little one was born in early June. ZooParc Overloon is the only zoo in the Netherlands where brazzamer cats can be seen.

In April, a cub was also born to the brazzameer cats. "So currently, in addition to our new giraffe, there are two little ones on display in our park. The brazzamer cat is not yet endangered, but its population is declining. This is partly due to the clearing of the forests in Central and West Africa, where the brazzamer cat lives," Van den Heuvel said.