The zoo’s newest giraffe made her debut this Friday!
A Masai giraffe was brought into the world earlier this month by proud parents Hasina and her partner Philip. The baby girl was born at a whopping 6 feet and 6 inches tall, weighing in at about 138 pounds – talk about lengthy labor!
The unnamed female calf made her star debut at the Los Angeles zoo today, and can now be seen hanging out and enjoying her exhibit with her family. Zoo officials say they are thrilled with the new baby.
OH BABY! We’re so excited to announce the birth of a female Masai giraffe calf born on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 to mother, Hasina, and father, Phillip. The calf weighed in at 138 pounds and stands at 6-foot-6. #MasaiGiraffe pic.twitter.com/drGhRFDJ6Y
— Los Angeles Zoo & BOOtanical Gardens 🎃👻🕸️ (@LAZoo) October 18, 2019
“I am beyond thrilled to welcome this newest giraffe into our herd,” Mike Bona, an animal keeper at the L.A. Zoo, said in a statement. “Every Masai giraffe birth is important to this species, especially since they were officially declared endangered earlier this year. I hope every visitor that comes to see our new calf will also learn about their status in the wild and be inspired to help make a difference.”
According to the L.A. Zoo, Masai giraffes are the tallest land animal and are currently listed as endangered due to habitat loss, illegal hunting, and disease. The Masai giraffe – found mostly in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania in East Africa – can grow up to 17 feet tall and 2,700 pounds.
Keep standing tall “little” one, and welcome to the big city!
Featured photo: Jamie Pham/Los Angeles Zoo