Two beloved El Paso Zoo residents, giraffe brothers Obi and Tesoro, have left the zoo to advance conservation efforts.
El Paso Zoo staff said they have issued a heartfelt farewell to the giraffes, who are starting exciting new journeys as part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan. The nationwide conservation program helps maintain healthy, genetically diverse animal populations through coordinated breeding and strategic partnerships.
The young giraffes are part of an endangered species.
“Our two young giraffes will certainly be missed by both our Zoo team and the community,” said Interim Director Gary Lunsford. “While it’s never easy to say goodbye, we’re proud to see Obi and Tesoro play such an important role in conservation efforts that extend far beyond El Paso.”
Obi, a 3-year-old giraffe born at the El Paso Zoo in April 2023, is now at Longneck Manor in Fredericksburg, Texas, a specialized conservation park dedicated to giraffe care and preservation. As the first giraffe calf born at the El Paso Zoo through the Species Survival Plan, Obi will join a herd of females and contribute to efforts supporting endangered reticulated giraffe populations.
His younger brother, Tesoro, born in January 2025, is at ABQ BioPark in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he will be introduced to a female giraffe as part of future breeding opportunities that support the species’ long-term survival.
The transition mirrors natural giraffe behavior in the wild, where young males leave their family groups, known as towers, to establish their own paths. Relocating the brothers at this stage helps reduce stress, supports their natural development, and creates space for future giraffe populations at the Zoo.
Obi and Tesoro are the offspring of longtime Zoo residents Gigi and Juma. Juma, who died in July 2025.
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Zoo’s giraffe brothers Obi, Tesoro move to new homes
Reporting by Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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