The Houston Zoo recently welcomed the birth of a female Masai giraffe, the first birth in The African Forest, the Zoo’s newest addition.
Mom Tyra, age 12, delivered the healthy female calf, which has not yet been named, shortly after 5 p.m. on March 4, following a 14 month pregnancy. The calf was standing and nursing by 6:15 p.m. She weighs 150 lbs. and is more than 6 feet tall.
“She’s a strong healthy baby,” said Houston Zoo Hoofed Stock Supervisor Laurie McGivern.
The newborn calf is Tyra’s sixth calf. Kiva, the father is 15 years old. With this new arrival, the Houston Zoo’s herd of Masai giraffe has grown to eight, including five males and three females.
While Masai giraffes are not threatened or endangered in their native habitat, there are 92 Masai giraffes living in 24 North American zoos. Giraffes are the tallest living terrestrial animal. The average male is about 17 feet tall and can weigh 3,000 lbs., while an average female is over 14 feet tall. On average, Masai giraffes weigh between 125 and 150 pounds at birth and stand approximately 6 feet tall.
Visitors can see the new calf at The African Forest, the new 6.5 acre, $40 million addition featuring chimps, rhinos and giraffes.
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