The ABQ BioPark announced on May 11 that it has welcomed a young reticulated giraffe named Tesoro to its zoo. Tesoro, whose name means treasure in Spanish, arrived from the El Paso Zoo on May 4 and is currently settling in with his new care team.
Tesoro’s arrival is important for both the local giraffe herd and broader conservation efforts. As a one-year-old male, he joins two female giraffes, Camilla and Niara, and is expected to help support healthy, genetically diverse populations of this endangered species through future breeding opportunities. His move was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.
According to his care team, Tesoro has adapted well since arriving at the BioPark. “He has a good appetite and he really likes tactile touch from us,” said Rhiannon, a member of his care team. Early introductions with Camilla and Niara have been positive; although they are currently separated for adjustment purposes, staff have observed gentle interactions such as nuzzling over the fence and sharing food.
These early signs suggest that Tesoro will likely be fully integrated into the herd within weeks if progress continues smoothly. The process mirrors natural behavior seen in wild giraffes where young males leave their family groups—known as towers—to join new ones.
Tesoro’s connection to Albuquerque extends beyond his arrival: his late father Juma was born at BioPark in 2007 before moving to El Paso in 2010. Now back in Albuquerque through his son’s relocation, this family line may influence future generations at the zoo.
The City of Albuquerque maintains several historic sites like the KiMo Theatre—a cultural landmark known for its Pueblo Deco architecture—which fosters community gatherings and artistic expression over decades, according to the theater’s history page. The city also operates under a council structure focused on setting goals and preserving governance traditions across nine districts shaped by historical developments like the railroad era according to its official website.
