Giraffe Birth video "Hasani" 8/10/09 Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoos Masai giraffe herd has grown to seven with the addition of a bouncing baby boy. The calf was born to mom Tyra shortly after 8 a.m. on Monday, August 10. Tyra went into labor around 6 in the morning and the calf was standing and nursing by 9 a.m., said Hoofed Stock Supervisor Laurie McGivern. Hes a big boy, said McGivern. Tyra always delivers big babies but this big boy stands a bit over 6 feet tall, she added. Tyra is 11 years old. Kiva, the father is 13 years old.

The arrival of the newborn giraffe follows the birth of another Masai giraffe this year, Miles on January 30 to Noel. With the latest arrival, the Houston Zoos herd of Masai giraffe now includes 4 males and 3 females.

While Masai giraffes are not threatened or endangered in their native habitat, there are only 88 of them in North American zoos. Giraffe breeding at the Houston Zoo follows guidelines established by the American Zoo and Aquarium Associations Population Management Plan (PMP) program. PMPs have been developed for selected groups of animals to manage breeding of captive populations in order to maintain healthy, self-sustaining populations that are both genetically diverse and demographically stable.

Giraffes are the tallest living terrestrial animal. The average male is about 17 feet tall and can weigh 3,000 pounds, while an average female is over 14 feet tall. On average, Masai giraffes weigh between 125 and 150 pounds at birth and stand approximately 6 feet tall.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• houston
• zoo
• giraffe
• masai
• calf
• baby
• newborn
• herd
• texas

[rachriddell]

We will miss you, Papa Kiva! You were always so sweet. Always welcomed visitors.

[4freshflower]

Please. I want to hear a woman's voice, not a man talking about birth.

[mercifulmama]

THANK YOU for sharing this -

what a WONDERFUL & BEAUTIFUL new baby!! :) 

[MrDominicanboy09]

Omg my Birthday August 10 this is cool

[dancemonstermary]

yay! congrats tyra! i know and love tyra :) i recently went on a behind the scenes tour and got to feed her! (i knew she was pregnant at the time too) and i love miles and i'm glad he'll have another little friend

[ZooVisitorMM]

Good!

I respect your opinion, and I'm glad when we agree!

[soheiljerusalem]

Then I have to agree with ya!

[ZooVisitorMM]

Sorry - You and I have communicated about this - I should have said "Good zoos are such wonderful places."

And the Houston Zoo certainly looks like a very good zoo!

[soheiljerusalem]

Not all zoos are great places though. Asian zoos are utter hell.

[soheiljerusalem]

how beautiful !