The Dallas Zoo’s 12-member giraffe herd has a new member: a newborn male giraffe.
The 6-foot, 120-pound calf was born on Sunday to first-time mom Chrystal.
“A new giraffe is always a reason to celebrate,” said Lynn Kramer, vice president of animal operations and welfare for the Zoo. “They’re remarkable animals, and are seriously threatened in the wild.”
The newborn is a reticulated giraffe, which according to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, is a species with fewer than 4,700 left in the wild.
Watch Chrystal bond with her newborn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qNmQ4RVO_Q&feature=youtu.be
Mom and baby are doing well; they will stay indoors together during the evening for about three months, until the calf is big enough to join the herd at nighttime.
“We were keeping a close eye on Chrystal,” giraffe supervisor Lisa Fitzgerald said. “It’s been three years since we had a calf, so our team is quite excited. Caring for a newborn this big is always a challenge, but it’s one that we love.”
Jamie was the last giraffe calf born at the Dallas Zoo, in 2011.
