From Moo Deng the pygmy hippo to viral star Punch the monkey, we just can’t get enough baby zoo animals – and now, Toronto has one of its own! The Toronto Zoo has just welcomed a not-so-little bundle of joy that is guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings.
Early Sunday morning on February 22, the zoo celebrated the arrival of a healthy female Masai giraffe calf. While the birth is a massive win for conservation, it carries a bittersweet emotional weight for the zoo community, as the newborn arrives just one month after the sudden and unexpected passing of her father, Kiko.
The Toronto Zoo posted a video of the birth on their website, which you can watch here. In the wild, giraffe calves have to find their footing fast, and this newcomer is already a natural. Born at 1:26 a.m., the leggy calf was remarkably standing on her own four feet by 2 a.m., less than 40 minutes after entering the world.
During her very first health check, the calf who has yet to be named measured a staggering 6 feet 4 inches tall. Her mother, 11-year-old Mstari, is reportedly doing well and spent the morning bonding with her baby behind the scenes.
The arrival of this calf is more than just a cute addition to the family; it’s also a vital milestone for a species in trouble. Masai giraffes were officially classified as endangered in 2018, with their wild populations plummeting by nearly 50% over the last three decades.
Though Kiko isn’t here to see her, his legacy lives on through this birth, which represents a significant victory for the Species Survival Plan.
If you’re looking to catch a glimpse of the spotted baby girl in person, you’ll have to wait just a little longer. The zoo has kept the pair off-exhibit for the time being to ensure the calf is nursing well and bonding privately with Mstari.
In the meantime, you can head over to the Toronto Zoo’s social media channels to see heartwarming footage of the newborn investigating cameras and receiving kisses from her mom.