Traditional moniker chosen for giraffe calf

• Perth Zoo's three-week-old giraffe calf has been named 'Twiga'
• More than 1,200 entries received in naming competition

Perth Zoo's newest resident has been named Twiga, which is the Swahili word for giraffe.

Environment Minister Bill Marmion said the name was chosen from more than 1,200 entries in a public naming competition run with The West Australian.

The winner was Anne Holder, of Victoria Park, who will be given a behind the scenes tour for her and three friends to meet Twiga and the other giraffes.

Ms Holder came up with the name after seeing giraffe in the wild when visiting Kenya, where she learnt the Swahili word for the animal.

Mr Marmion said he was pleased to see Twiga had settled in to her daily routine and both mother and calf were doing well.

"The staff are very happy with the calf's development. She has put on more than 30kg and now stands close to two metres tall," he said.

"Visitors to the new Savannah Outlook tower experience at Perth Zoo have been getting a great view of the latest addition."

Perth Zoo is part of a regional giraffe breeding program and has successfully bred eight giraffes since 1995.

Fact File

• Calf born 5.30pm, January 16, 2012, weighing 72kg and standing 180cm tall
• Calf's mother, Misha, given birth to seven of the eight Perth Zoo calves
• Misha captured in famous 'The Kiss' photograph welcoming the first of those offspring, Makulu, into the world in 1995

Minister's office  - 9220 5000

'Twiga' with competition winner Anne Holder.