Frances the giraffe arrived in Knoxville today to join the zoo’s herd in the Grasslands Africa habitat.

Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, one-year-old Frances comes to Knoxville on the recommendation of the Giraffe Species Survival Plan (SSP), which manages the breeding and social placement of all giraffes in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  She will be a companion to the zoo’s two female giraffes, Patches and Lucille, and a potential mate for male Jumbe in a few years when she is fully grown.

Frances will be introduced to her new herd over the next two days, and will likely make her public debut on Tuesday.  She is approximately 10 feet tall and weighs 740 pounds, and her smaller stature will make it easy for zoo-goers to identify her.