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SALT LAKE CITY — A new baby giraffe has joined the African Savanna barn at Utah's Hogle Zoo.
The 169-pound baby boy giraffe calf was born last Friday at 8:45 p.m. and is 6 feet, 2 inches tall. He is his mom Stephanie's second calf, but the first for dad Ja, who was transferred from the Memphis Zoo on a breeding recommendation in 2022.
The calf was born in the African Savanna barn, where animal care team members observed via cameras. A soft-landing area was also placed inside to support the calf on the 6-foot drop at birth.
"The calf's care team describes him as strong, brave and curious, exploring new spaces before his mother and eagerly approaching keepers for his first health checkup, where he was weighed and had a blood draw," Hogle Zoo said in a statement.
Stephanie and the unnamed calf will not be visible to guests just yet, as the zoo is giving the family time to bond and adjust in a quiet and comfortable environment. The giraffe herd stays inside the barn during the winter, especially when temperatures are below 50 degrees.
"The birth of this calf marks an important step in protecting this vulnerable species," the zoo said.
Giraffes are the tallest land mammals and are threatened by habitat loss, human population growth and poaching, according to Hogle Zoo.
