Giraffe Born at El Paso Zoo: For the first time in El Paso’s history, a giraffe has been born at the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The male giraffe was born April 19, and the public will get a chance to help name him at a later date. “In the last 30 years, the giraffe population in Africa has declined by more than 40% to approximately 100,000 animals. Giraffes are now extinct in seven African countries and all giraffe species are critically endangered,” El Paso Zoo Director Joe Montisano said in a press release. “It is not every day you have a 6-foot, 110-pound baby born.” The baby giraffe will not be on view to the public for at least another two weeks.
Feasibility Study on Municipal IDs Approved: The city is one step closer to developing a municipal identification program. The El Paso City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution that directs city management to conduct a feasibility study on issuing city identification cards to residents. It also asks that management develop a plan to implement the municipal ID program for the next fiscal year, which begins Sept. 1. The program would serve El Pasoans that cannot obtain a Texas driver’s license or state-issued ID. The Border Network of Human Rights has been advocating for the municipal ID program for about 10 years. A similar effort to develop the municipal ID program failed to pass by the council in 2017. City leadership is expected to present the results of the study to the City Council in 120 days.
Celebrate Día de los Niños / Día de los Libros: The community is invited to celebrate Día de los Niños / Día de los Libros from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Washington Park, 4201 E. Paisano Drive. The free, family-friendly festival celebrates children’s literacy and will include a free book giveaway. Free parking will be available at the El Paso County Coliseum, 4100 E. Paisano, and Sun Metro will provide free bus rides throughout the day. The event is hosted by the El Paso Public Libraries and Parks and Recreation Department and is presented by the Great Khalid Foundation. For information, visit www.elpasolibrary.org.
Menstrual Health and Equality in City Buildings: Free menstrual products will soon be available in all city-owned facilities under a program that aims to promote menstrual equity. The El Paso City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution to provide various menstrual products in facilities such as recreation centers, city offices, libraries and at the airport at no cost. The resolution passed unanimously with city Rep. Cassandra Hernadez not present for the vote. The products would be available at all times, including emergencies such as natural disasters and or public health emergencies. The program will be implemented by the next fiscal year, which begins Sept. 1, and will continue indefinitely. The program aims to promote menstrual equity throughout the city.
