He's only a newborn, but he's already making the Houston Zoo staff swoon thanks to his long, batting eyelashes and big brown eyes.
Meet the new male Masai giraffe born this week at the Houston Zoo to proud parents Mom Tyra and Dad Mtembei. The baby, yet to be named, started standing on his own about 30 minutes after his birth and began nursing shortly after that.
The giraffe keepers who cared for Tyra during her pregnancy and were present for the birth have the honor of naming the newest addition to the Houston Zoo's giraffe herd.
"He's a big healthy boy," says Kim Siegl, Houston Zoo giraffe senior keeper. "[He] weighs 165 pounds and is 6 1/2 feet tall."
The calf, 15-year-old Tyra's eighth baby, brings the Houston Zoo's family of Masai giraffes to nine — six males and three females.
Guests are welcome to view the happy mom and baby in the McGovern Giraffe Habitat barn's community room. Zoo officials advise animal lovers to check back on its website for updates on when the calf will be moved to the outdoor habitat.
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Our new baby Masai giraffe, with Mom Tyra close by in the background
