A baby giraffe has been born at the Potawatomi Zoo. The female Masai giraffe calf was born to mother “Zindzhi” on Sunday, October 13, 2024.

The calf was checked by veterinarian and animal care staff, and both she and Zindzhi seem to be healthy and thriving.

The calf weighed around 135 pounds at birth and is about six feet tall. Adult female Masai giraffes can be around 16 feet tall and weigh up to 2700 pounds.

The calf may be visible to the public in the giraffe barn or outside, weather permitting. While she’s still a baby, the calf’s outdoor access may be limited to sunny and 60 degrees.

The calf will nurse for about 9-12 months, but she’ll start eating solid food at around 4 months old.

Scientists estimate that there are fewer than 90,000 giraffes in the world.