Unnami arrived from Monarto Zoo back in 2008 and he settled in and went straight to work as the breeding male. During this time Unnami has sired 25 calves, making him well and truly represented in the gene pool!

Unnami is an impressive looking 13 year old male, with a distinctive dark coat colour, lumpy head and a swagger in his step.

He has wowed visitors at Taronga Western Plains Zoo for the past decade with his appearance at the daily Giraffe in Focus encounters and instigating herd stampedes around the exhibit.

Soon however there will be a changing of the guard.

It's the Zoo's commitment to maintain genetic diversity in the zoo-based giraffe population, and therefore Unnami will be retired from his duties and a new male will take over the breeding bull role.

The new male named Mtoto has recently made his way to Dubbo from Mogo Zoo on the South Coast.

He is a young two year old male who has some maturing to do, but keepers are sure he will continue on the great work that Unnami has been doing for years to come.

Mtoto has recently joined the herd alongside Unnami and because he is still young this provides Mtoto the opportunity to learn a little from Unnami about being the breeding bull in the herd.

Later this year Unnami will be retired and transferred to the African Savannah exhibit, where he will be introduced to the bachelor group quartet of Giraffe and enjoy retirement with the boys.

Visitors will still be able to get up close and personal with Unnami on the daily Savannah Safari bus tours, or wake up to the bachelor boys feeding out the front of overnight accommodation at Zoofari Lodge.

Join Team Taronga in the 2019 Dubbo Stampede and run wild to help make a difference for giraffe!Giraffe are facing a silent extinction with populations plummeting a staggering 40 per cent over the last 30 years.

All giraffe subspecies live in geographically distinct areas.

Unfortunately habitat loss and human impact are two leading causes of population decline for this majestic animal.

By joining Team Taronga in the 2019 Dubbo Stampede on Sunday, August 25 you can help raise awareness and funds to support Taronga Western Plains Zoo's giraffe conservation breeding program.

Grab your friends and get your runners on! Sign up to fundraise here:http://www.everydayhero.com.au/event/twpzdubbostampede

Follow our free daily keeper activities! Scheduled keeper talks and animal feeds are the best times to see the animals being fed and to learn from the keepers who care for them.

The Hippo Talk is a popular one and it is easy to see why! You'll see the Hippos at feed time out of the water. Plus if you're lucky you might see the keeper hose them dow