WACO, TX — Cameron Park Zoo's new baby giraffe has been introduced to his outdoor exhibit.
Animal care staff continue to closely monitor the baby Masai and his mother, Penelope, to ensure they are both comfortable and safe in the new situation.
The zoo says if all goes well, future outdoor adventures will be determined by weather conditions and the comfort level of mom and baby.
Penelope gave birth to her first calf on January 22 at 4:02 p.m. The newest giraffe is a boy and came in at 135 pounds and six feet tall.
This is the first giraffe born in 20 years at Cameron Park Zoo. It is also the first Masai birth.
The zoo is currently holding a naming contest for the baby. The final choice of names has been narrowed down to Prince, Duke, and Zeke.
The contest will end on February 10. Funds raised through voting will go to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.
To vote for the name, click here!
The Masai giraffe is the largest subspecies of giraffe. They are often found in Central and Southern Kenya and in Tanzania. You can spot a Masai giraffe based on their distinctive, irregular, jagged, star-like blotches that extend to their hooves.
The subspecies is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This is primarily due to poaching and habitat fragmentation.
