FOR three days non-stop Twiga the giraffe was transported more than 3500 kilometres from Perth to her new home at Western Plains Taronga Zoo before arriving on Friday morning.
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The young giraffe’s three dedicated keepers took turns at the wheel during the long journey across Australia after departing Perth Zoo on Tuesday afternoon.
A herd of four giraffes remains at Perth Zoo after Twiga’s departure.
Born on January 16, 2012, Twiga was the seventh calf for mother Misha.
Misha is famous for The Kiss, a 1995 photograph picturing the then first time mother welcoming her calf and Twiga’s older brother Makulu shortly after his birth.
Twiga, whose name means giraffe in Swahili, is the result of the successful breeding program at Perth Zoo that has resulted in the arrival of eight giraffe calves in the past 18 years.
Perth Zoo spokeswoman Debbie Read told the Daily Liberal the transport of Twiga across the country went smoothly.
“They drove non-stop, the staff took turns in driving,” she said.
“It is a long way but it is best to transfer them that way.”
Ms Read said Twiga’s keepers would miss the young giraffe.
“It is always sad to see an animal go,” she said.
“She is of an age where she needs to move into another group.
“She is a beautiful giraffe and I am sure she will do well in Dubbo.”
Transfers between zoos are a common occurrence to maintain genetic diversity. In November last year, young Dubbo-born giraffe Kitoto was transferred to Taronga Zoo in Sydney.
