L.A. Zoo Welcomes Its Tallest Baby Giraffe Ever!

The newest addition to the Los Angeles Zoo is already making history!

On Wednesday, the Southern California animal reserve announced that 10-year-old female Masai giraffe Zainabu and 10-year-old male Masai giraffe Phillip welcomed a healthy male calf on Friday, April 8.

However, at just a few days old, the baby giraffe proudly stands at 6’7” and weighs 172 lbs. — making him the tallest giraffe calf born at the Los Angeles Zoo in its decades-long history.

“Every giraffe birth we have at the L.A. Zoo is exciting,” said Mike Bona, animal keeper at the zoo. “I’ve worked with giraffes here since 2005, and I have to say, Zainabu is a wonderful mother — she knew exactly what she needed to do when her labor started. I am thrilled that we have this new calf to represent his endangered species.”

As of this writing, the zoo is still deciding on a name for the cute mammal.

This birth marks the fourth calf for Zainabu and the sixth calf for Phillip.

Per the release, Masai giraffes — commonly found in East Africa, namely southern Kenya and northern Tanzania — can grow up to 17 feet tall and weigh 2,700 pounds.

Additionally, recent genetic research appears to indicate that Masai giraffes can be identified as their own species and are the largest giraffes in the world.

Sadly, giraffes are currently categorized as “endangered” by the UCN Red List because their populations are under threat and declining due to habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal hunting, and disease.

With weather permitting, guests are encouraged to visit the newborn, along with his parents and siblings, at the Los Angeles Zoo!

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