photo by: Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

A baby giraffe was born Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the Kansas City Zoo.

The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium welcomed a new resident this week: a 125-pound baby girl who already stands 5 feet 6 inches tall.

Early Sunday morning Makali the giraffe gave birth to her calf, who is reportedly in good health and bonding with her mom behind the scenes. Soon she’ll meet her herd mates one by one, the zoo said.

photo by: Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

A baby giraffe was born Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the Kansas City Zoo.

The new youngster is 12-year-old Makali’s second calf. Her first calf, Maxwell, was born in 2018 and left the zoo in 2020 per a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan. Four-year-old Aidan, who transferred from the Brevard Zoo in Florida in 2022, is the first-time father. Other members of the zoo’s herd include 4-year-old Chandy and 2-year-old Alika, so the baby will make five in the herd.

The zoo said in a press release that its herd represents the Masai giraffe subspecies, which is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Over the past 35 years, giraffe numbers have decreased by nearly 30%, the group says. The Kansas City Zoo is partnering with Save Giraffes Now in working to ensure a safe future for the giraffe species. From reintroduction and rescue to anti-poaching units, the group has many on-the-ground efforts that include both the giraffe species and the communities living beside them.

“It will be a while before this adorable girl makes her public debut,” the zoo said in its release, “but we will keep fans updated on the Zoo’s social media pages.”

photo by: Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

A baby giraffe was born Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the Kansas City Zoo.