Masai Giraffe Calf Born At San Diego Zoo

SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego Zoo has welcomed a Masai giraffe calf.

First-time mother Mawe gave birth to her calf on Nov. 30, zoo officials announced Monday. The calf, who has not yet been named, is bonding with its mom in the maternity area of the giraffe habitat in the zoo's Urban Jungle exhibit.

Mawe and the calf's father, Chifu, were also born at the zoo. The calf joins another little one, Lemayian, who was born in July.

"These births help support the genetic diversity of Masai giraffes and ensure their global population remains strong and healthy," zoo officials said in a news release.

Masai giraffes are classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a nonprofit conservation organization that operates the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, supports Masai giraffe populations by being an active member of the Masai Giraffe Species Survival Plan Program and working to protect the natural habitat of giraffes through the Savanna Conservation Hub.