San Diego Zoo Acquires Rare White Giraffe in Historic Conservation Transfer

In a groundbreaking move for wildlife conservation, San Diego Zoo has welcomed a rare leucistic white giraffe from a Kenyan conservation program. The 18-month-old female, nicknamed “Pearl,” arrived this week after months of international coordination between veterinary teams.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Dr. Lisa Torres, head of ungulate programs at San Diego Zoo. “Leucistic giraffes represent less than 0.1% of the wild population, and ensuring this individual receives world-class care while contributing to genetic research is a privilege.”

Pearl will spend a 90-day quarantine period in the zoo’s specialized holding area before being introduced to the main African savanna exhibit.