Talk about a big baby! A giraffe at the Virginia Zoo has unexpectedly given birth to 6-foot, 122-pound calf -- in full view of shocked visitors.
The unplanned birth happened on September 9 in an enclosure inhabited by Imara, an endangered Masai giraffe, according to zoo officials.
Moments after she was born, the newborn struggled to her feet and nursed from her mother for the first time.
The zoo posted video of baby giraffe moments after she entered the world. In a statement, the zoo explained that animal care staff had been preparing for the calf's arrival, although the exact due date is never certain.
The new baby's name is Tisa -- prononced "Tee-sah."
"Keepers chose the serendipitous name, which means nine in Swahili, and represents her birthday (9/9) and the number of calves in which her mom, Imara, has given birth (9!)," the zoo said on Facebook.
At birth, Tisa weighed 122.5 pounds and stood 6-feet tall. The zoo described her as being "full of personality," and said she's strong and already learning to run.
Masai giraffes, which are native to Tanzania and Kenya, have seen a "significant" population decline in recent years due to poaching and habitat loss, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the global authority on the conservation status of wild animals and plants.
Related
Related
