NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos and b-roll can be found here. Photo credits are contained in the file name (example: Amanda Carberry, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium). 

CUMBERLAND, OH – The Wilds is celebrating two exciting new arrivals that highlight the conservation center’s commitment to protecting rare and endangered species: a Przewalski’s horse foal and a Masai giraffe calf.

A Przewalski’s horse (pronounced shuh-VAL-skee) foal was born on August 9, 2025 to first-time mother Paisley and father, Maksim. Paisley was born at the San Diego Safari Park in 2013 and arrived at The Wilds from the Minnesota Zoo in 2023. Maksim, born in 2017 at the Minnesota Zoo, came to The Wilds in 2024 from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia based on a recommendation the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP). This carefully-managed program is designed to ensure the genetic health and diversity of threatened and endangered species in professional care.

This birth carries special meaning for The Wilds, as the Przewalski’s horse was the very first species brought to the conservation center in 1992, before opening to the public for tours in 1994. The new foal is the 26th surviving Przewalski’s horse born at The Wilds and the first since 2015. Known as the last truly wild horse, the species went extinct in the wild in the 1960s and survives today thanks to animals in professional care. Several successful reintroductions into China and Mongolia have helped restore wild populations, and The Wilds continues to play a role in their long-term recovery. As of mid-2025, there are only an estimated 2,000–2,500 Przewalski’s horses in the world, including populations in zoos, national parks, and reintroduction areas in Mongolia, China, and Russia, with ongoing efforts also underway in Kazakhstan.

On August 27, 2025, The Wilds also welcomed a Masai giraffe calf to mother, Lulu, and father, Raha. Lulu, born at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in 2012, has lived at The Wilds since 2014, and this marks her fourth calf. Raha, born at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens in 2006, arrived from the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium in 2009 and has now sired 13 calves at The Wilds. This pairing was also an SSP recommendation, and the calf’s birth represents an important step forward for the conservation of Masai giraffes. Together with the Przewalski’s horse foal, these births highlight The Wilds’ role in protecting species for future generations.

“These births are wonderful milestones for The Wilds and for the conservation of these species that face significant challenges in their native ranges,” said Dr. Jan Ramer, Senior Vice President of Animal Care and Conservation at the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds. “They also provide us with the opportunity to share impactful stories with our guests, who play an important role in protecting wildlife by supporting our mission of Empowering People. Saving Wildlife.”

Masai giraffes are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with populations declining by nearly 50% over the last three decades due to habitat loss, poaching, and ecological changes. Przewalski’s horses are also classified as endangered, yet their ongoing recovery through professional care and reintroduction programs is considered one of conservation’s greatest success stories.

Guests visiting The Wilds can learn more about these important species while supporting global conservation efforts. While the giraffe calf, Lulu, and Raha are spending time in the barn for extra warmth as temperatures drop overnight, they may be seen in the Giraffe Barn during Wildside Safari Tours. The Przewalski’s horses—including Paisley, her foal, and other members of the herd—are well adapted to cooler temperatures like those of their native range and may be seen out in pasture during an Open-Air Safari. Open-Air Safaris are presented by G&J Pepsi.

The Wilds is open year round, with a full selection of tour options offered from May through October and specialty tours available from November through April. For those looking to extend their adventure, The Wilds offers a variety of unique overnight accommodations, including the new Hellbender RV Campground, which opened this spring. For more information about tours, conservation initiatives, events, and educational opportunities, please visit TheWilds.org and follow The Wilds’ social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.