Newborn female giraffe 'incredible' addition to Toronto Zoo
· Toronto Sun
It’s baby fever at the Toronto Zoo — and this bundle of joy is already head and shoulders above the rest.
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A Masai giraffe calf arrived at 1:26 a.m. on Sunday and wasted no time making an impression. By about 2 a.m., she was already standing tall.
By Monday morning, the wildlife health team gave the newborn her first checkup and confirmed what keepers were hoping for: She’s healthy and she’s a girl. She’s not so “little” either. The calf measures a whopping 6-foot-4.
Mom Mstari and her baby were given the weekend to bond.
‘Endangered’ species
“This endangered Masai giraffe calf is an incredible addition to your Toronto Zoo,” said CEO Dolf DeJong.
The zoo first announced Mstari’s pregnancy on Mother’s Day in 2025. After a long 15-month pregnancy, staff said they’re thrilled to welcome a healthy calf and shine a spotlight on the endangered species.
The zoo is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Masai Giraffe Species Survival Plan, a breeding program connecting accredited zoos.
Breeding introductions were closely monitored through Nov. 4, 2024. Then in January 2025, the zoo’s reproductive science team confirmed the pregnancy after analyzing months of hormone levels.
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Birth carries emotional note
Kiko, the calf’s father, passed away unexpectedly last month from cardiac failure associated with acute muscle exertion, as reported earlier by the Toronto Sun . While the zoo said his absence is deeply felt, his legacy now lives on through his daughter.
Masai giraffes were officially listed as endangered in December 2018 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Fewer than 35,000 remain in the wild, a population that has dropped by more than 50% in the last 30 years due to illegal hunting and habitat loss.
For now, zoo staff said to stay tuned: Baby updates — and details on when visitors can meet this towering little lady — are coming soon.