Two baby giraffes have been introduced at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo.
The male reticulated giraffes are named Chich and Oz, according to a press release from the park.
Chich was born in July 2023, and Oz was born in October. Chich weighs about 800 pounds, and Oz is about 500 pounds.
Both were bred at Six Flags Great Adventure, in New Jersey, according to Robyn Arnold, an animal care specialist at the Vallejo park.
The New Jersey park has faced criticism for its breeding practices from the animal welfare organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, known as PETA.
The Vallejo park now has four giraffes, including three males and one female.
The babies are already on their adult diet of tree branches and other tree material referred to as “browse.” They also eat alfalfa and a commercial chow, Arnold said.
Arnold described the giraffes as playful and cute.
But PETA said that giraffes in captivity generally have a lifespan that is about half that of a giraffe in the wild, where they can live up to 40 years.
Debbie Metzler, PETA’s senior director of captive wildlife, said her organization wants Six Flags to transfer the giraffes to a facility that doesn’t feature them as entertainment or an attraction and is accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries or the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which she said had the highest standards for accreditation.
The theme park is accredited by the Zoological Association of America and said it follows standards of care set by the American Humane Association and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums.
Metzler said the organization also wanted an end to the breeding programs at the company’s New Jersey park.
“Taking these animals from their mother and putting them in amusement parks is not in their best interest,” Metzler said.
Arnold said the park’s mission is to educate visitors and that seeing such animals up close is the best way to do that.