Zarafa- Story of France’s first giraffe

In the hot tropical grasslands of Egypt, in Africa, a beautiful and active calf was born to a Nubian Giraffe.

With long neck, glossy coat, sturdy legs, she was an exceptionally beautiful and happy baby and was ready to run around within an hour of being born.

Meanwhile, the Pasha or ruler of Egypt, Mohammed Ali wanted to gift his French friend and ruler -King Charles an unusual special gift.

After days of thinking and consulting his ministers, he decided to gift King Charles an animal France has never seen- A giraffe.

He asked his men to capture the most attractive giraffe they could find in the entire Egyptian woodlands.

After many days of searching, they indeed found the same beautiful giraffe in the vast land- that was young, happy with glitter in the eyes.

The pasha was impressed with this beautiful animal and immediately named her- Zarafa- the charming one, in Arabic.

Zarafa was thus decided to be sent to France as the friendly gift.

An eminent French Biologist- Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire’ was put in charge to take care of the entire journey from Egypt to Paris, France.