LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Zoo is welcoming yet another baby animal ambassador to the world, this time it's a "six-foot-tall bundle of joy."
On Monday, officials announced a newborn male Masai giraffe was born on Aug. 9 after a 15-17 month gestation period. His parents are Kianga and Baridi.
The unnamed calf, who weighed 160 pounds and stood six feet and two inches tall at birth, is the first baby giraffe calf born at the zoo in 12 years. The last giraffe calf birth was Silvester in 2012, officials added.
Zoo Director Dan Maloney said both 7-year-old Kianga and her child are doing well.
"Staff are closely monitoring them to ensure their continued health and well-being," he said.
Officials said the calf is being raised and nurtured off exhibit, but you can watch the calf's first few weeks online with the zoo's giraffe cam. The zoo anticipates he will make his public debut in the coming days.
Masai giraffes are native to East Africa and ae the largest subspecies of giraffe. According to the zoo, they are distinguished by their irregular, star-shaped spots which are like a fingerprint and unique to each animal.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species lists giraffes as a whole as vulnerable. Masai giraffe numbers have dwindled over the years by more than 50% in the last three decades. The giraffes' largest threats are habitat loss and poaching.
The Louisville Zoo is open daily year-round. Its current summer hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (guests can stay until 6 p.m.) through Sept. 22, 2024.
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