Poznań’s Nowe Zoo has welcomed Eva, a northern baby giraffe born on 27 June. Find out why the birth matters, when to visit and how to reach the zoo, including the Maltanka railway.
Poznań’s Nowe Zoo has welcomed a new resident with the birth of Eva, a northern giraffe born on 27 June. Visitors may be lucky enough to see Eva alongside her mother, Elsi, in the outdoor enclosure next to the Giraffe and Rhinoceros Pavilion.
The birth is particularly significant because northern giraffes are among the world’s rarest giraffe species, making every successful birth an important contribution to the long-term conservation of the population.
A Healthy Start for Eva
From her very first hours, Eva has shown herself to be strong and energetic. Zoo staff report that her mother, the 15-year-old giraffe Elsi, has been caring for her attentively by guiding her to feed and grooming her regularly.
Eva’s father is Takkari, a little over six and a half years old, making him one of the younger breeding males.
Although she is the zoo’s newest resident, she is anything but tiny. At birth, Eva measured more than 170 cm in height and weighed almost 51 kg, a reminder of just how remarkable giraffes are from the moment they enter the world.
Why Northern Giraffes Matter
Northern giraffes are the least numerous of the four recognised giraffe species. It is estimated that only around 7,000 remain in the wild, making them a species of significant conservation concern.
Modern zoos play an important role in international breeding programmes that help maintain healthy, genetically diverse populations while also raising public awareness about the threats giraffes face in their natural habitats, including habitat loss and poaching.
Every successful birth is therefore welcomed not only by zoo staff but also by the wider conservation community.
Plan Your Visit
If you would like to try and spot Eva, she can sometimes be seen outdoors with Elsi in the enclosure beside the Giraffe and Rhinoceros Pavilion. As with all young animals, access to the outdoor area depends on weather conditions and the animals’ welfare, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Nowe Zoo w Poznaniu
ul. Krańcowa 81, Poznań
Opening hours:
Daily from 9:00 to 19:00
One of the most enjoyable ways to reach the zoo during the warmer months is aboard the Maltanka Park Railway, the popular narrow-gauge train that connects the Śródka area with Nowe Zoo, making the journey part of the family day out.
Why This Matters for Poznań
The arrival of Eva is welcome news for both local residents and visitors. It highlights Poznań’s continuing contribution to international wildlife conservation while offering families a rare opportunity to observe one of the world’s most distinctive and endangered mammals during its earliest weeks of life.
Whether travelling by the Maltanka railway or arriving directly at the zoo, visitors now have another reason to spend a day discovering one of Poznań’s most popular attractions.
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