Great Plains Zoo Welcomes Towering New Resident and Meerkat Mob

As the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls puts it, they "have one big announcement and five little ones!". That was the word from the zoo as they let everyone know they were welcoming some extraordinary new residents.

A majestic new giraffe named Mario arrived earlier this week from the Lincoln Children's Zoo. He was born there in June 2022 and is described as being curious and confident.

He has distinctive markings inherited from each of his parents - brown spots with white speckles from his mom, Kendy, and Mickey Mouse-shaped spots on his neck from his dad Joey.

Mario is approximately 12 feet tall and will continue growing until he is around the age of four. He'll need some time to quarantine and get used to his new care team and the zoo's 17-year-old giraffe Olivia Dee.

You'll be able to see Mario around the giraffe barn as he settles in, but daily public feedings have ended for the summer.

The Great Plains Zoo is also very excited to welcome a charming group of five one-and-a-half-year-old meerkats from the Oakland Zoo.

The all-male mob is comprised of Kai, Api, Ixigaza, Zimwi, and Khoa who will reside in the African lion building's new meerkat habitat. At first, they will be viewable indoors only. Once they have acclimated, they'll have access to their outdoor exhibit.

Meerkats Biff and Clementine will remain in the giraffe barn's meerkat exhibit.

The zoo also has some important end-of-summer reminder dates:

• Monday, September 2 - Final day for the splash pad and daily zookeeper chats
• Sunday, September 15 - Final day for train rides (running weekends only)
• Sunday, September 29 - Final day for the carousel (running weekends only 9/3-9/29)
• Sunday, October 6 - Final day for daily farm feeding

For more information see the Great Plains Zoo online, on Facebook, or call 605-215-6392.