by Hailey Zalopany
Love is in the air and things are getting tall, spotted, and romantic at the Honolulu Zoo.
Neelix and Sandi, the zoo’s beloved resident giraffes, might be expecting some big changes—literally. With Sandi soon to come off birth control, the animal care team is crossing their fingers for a long-legged baby in the semi-near future.
Opposites Attract?
Neelix, the zoo’s male giraffe, is currently six years old and stands at 16 feet tall. He was described by zoo educator Annie Hargens as a “classic happy-go-lucky guy”. He’s curious, confident, and always always looking for the next best patch of grass.
On the other hand, the zoo’s female giraffe Sandi, is a bit more reserved. She’s thoughtful, in tune with her environment, and takes her time to warm up. Zoo keeper Brian Underwood notes that she is a quick study and loves to learn new tricks (especially when her favorite leafy greens are involved). She doesn’t love surprises and can be easily spooked, especially by those flashy free-roaming peacocks strutting a little too close for comfort.
Neelix is the social butterfly of the pair—always curious, always on the move—while Sandi prefers to take her time and observe from a distance. But despite their differences, the two have formed a sweet connection. These contrasting traits haven’t kept them apart. In fact, they may be exactly why the pair gets along so well. It just goes to show that even in the animal kingdom, opposites really do attract.
Tall Tales of Giraffe Romance
Whether it’s romance or just nature taking its course, Neelix and Sandi seem to be on the same wavelength. Giraffes are naturally herd animals and prefer to stick together. This herding trait presents itself with Neelix and Sandi as leader and follower. Neelix the bold and curious male is often seen leading the way with wary Sandi not far behind. He charges in with charm; she hangs back, watching the world unfold.
In the wild, giraffe courtship can look a little strange to us humans. Males use something called the “Flehmen response” which is a funny face where they curl back their lips. Although it may look like a goofy smile to us, what the male is really doing is trying to smell if a female is ready to mate. Romantic, right?
15 Months of Anticipation
Neelix and Sandi are not only bonded but biologically ready for the next step in this relationship. Sandi is currently on birth control preventing her from getting pregnant yet. Removing Sandi from birth control allows her natural reproductive cycle to resume, triggering hormone production that tells Neelix she’s entering estrus and ready to mate.
Once Sandi becomes pregnant, the giraffe couple—along with eager zookeepers and animal lovers across the island—will begin the long wait for the calf’s arrival. Giraffes have one of the longest gestation periods of any animal in the world. Giraffes are pregnant for about 15 months! If everything goes according to plan the giraffe calf should arrive in 2027.
The Honolulu Zoo’s 80th anniversary will also occur in 2027 making it an extra special year.
Big Babies and Big Milestones
If Neelix and Sandi do become parents, their calf is sure to make a big entrance, literally. Baby giraffes are already taller than most adult humans when they’re born, usually measuring around 6 feet tall and weighing 100 to 150 pounds.
Despite their size, newborn giraffes are surprisingly quick learners. Within 30 to 60 minutes after birth, calves are usually standing on their own wobbly legs—and within a few hours, they’re already walking. In the wild, this quick mobility helps them avoid predators, but even in a zoo setting, it’s an important part of their healthy development.
Giraffe calves nurse from their mothers for about 6 to 9 months, though they’ll start nibbling on leaves as early as a few weeks old. They grow fast, too. Gaining up to an inch a day in their first weeks of life!
And perhaps the most astonishing fact? Since mother giraffes give birth standing up, the birth begins with a six foot drop! But the calf’s body is built to handle it, and the fall helps kick-start its breathing and circulation. Although a dramatic start to life, it may be fitting for one of the world’s most unique and iconic creatures.
Why This Matters
While this may sound like a fun summer love story (and it totally is), it’s also a part of an important conservation effort. Giraffe populations in the wild have been declining due to habitat loss and poaching. Breeding programs in accredited zoos, help maintain healthy populations and preserve genetic diversity.
The Honolulu Zoo is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) which is a distinction held by fewer than 10% of zoos and aquariums in the U.S. AZA accreditation is the gold standard in animal care, conservation, education, and guest experience. It means the Honolulu Zoo meets, and often exceeds, rigorous standards in everything from veterinary care to habitat enrichment. Being part of the AZA also connects the zoo to a global network of professionals working to protect endangered species and preserve wild places around the world. So when you visit the zoo, you’re not just having fun—you’re supporting a world-class institution making a real impact.
What’s Next at the Zoo?
As exciting as a baby giraffe is, we have a while to wait. So what can we look forward to until the new baby drops in 2027? Luckily the answer is… a lot! As an accredited zoo led by a passionate team dedicated to animal care and conservation, at the Honolulu Zoo there’s always something exciting on the horizon. From new animal care initiatives to engaging guest experiences, the zoo continues to grow, educate, and inspire with every season.
The zoo has several exciting breeding plans underway, including toucans, salamanders, and native Hawaiian butterflies and snails. But perhaps the most thrilling of all is the plan to breed their Sumatran tigers, a critically endangered species that calls the Honolulu Zoo home.
Luckily for the team, and the eager public, tiger pregnancies are relatively short, only about 3.5 months. So depending on when the zoo schedules the breeding, we could be welcoming tiger cubs before too long. Fingers crossed for these majestic cats to grow their family and help boost the population of this rare and beautiful species!
