SALT LAKE CITY -- If you haven't said hello to Riley lately, you'll have to make a road trip to Oregon.
Riley -- Hogle Zoo's only male giraffe -- is moving this week to temporary new digs at the Oregon Zoo, due to a construction project soon to begin on his home turf.
The Salt Lake City zoo is about to start construction on its African Savanna project -- which will provide a larger home for giraffes, zebras and other African animals -- according to a press release. During the building of the new exhibit there won't be room for Riley and the zoo's three female giraffes, who live in separate enclosures.
Kipenzi, Pogo and Daphne, the females, will remain at the zoo during the project, moving into the north yard now occupied by Riley.
Riley leaves Thursday, May 3, for the Portland zoo and will return to Salt Lake City in 2014. The 8-year-old male is readily identifiable due to a heart-shaped marking on his left side.
"I'll be counting down the days until he returns," said animal keeper Holly Harrington in the news release. "I'm hoping to make a trip up to Portland to visit him."
Hogle Zoo will open Rocky Shores, a new exhibit with polar bears, sea lions, seals and otters, on June 1.
The zoo is at 2600 E. Sunnyside Ave. and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for children and seniors, and free for age 2 and younger.
For more information, call 801-582-1631 or visit www.hoglezoo.org.