Lincoln students get first look at giraffe exhibit

Some lucky Lincoln Public School students got to spend a fun morning at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo Wednesday.

A group of first grade students from Meadow Lane Elementary got an exclusive first look at the Zoo’s new expansion, including getting up close and personal with the brand new giraffe enclosure. 

The trip came after one of the students won a contest to name one of the giraffes. Iggy Malik’s submission of the name ‘Phoebe’ was selected for the two-year-old giraffe. Malik chose the name because one his friends is named Phoebe. 

The group’s teacher, Cyndi Tyler, was just as excited as her students. 

“They have been waiting for this day forever,” Tyler said. “Ever since we knew that we’d get this chance for this field trip, they’re like when are we going, when are we going?”

Zoo CEO John Chapo says while the giraffes are endangered in the wild, personal connection is the key with animal conservation and preservation. 

“For a first grader to name the tallest creature on Earth here at the Lincoln’s zoo, give her a name, was so important to us because we love that connectivity,” Chapo said. “That’s what it’s all about. So we partnered with Lincoln Public Schools and we hit a home run.”