There is a new addition to the Toronto Zoo.

Early Sunday morning, a Masai giraffe calf was born following her mother’s 15-month pregnancy, the zoo announced in a release Tuesday.

“This endangered Masai giraffe calf is an incredible addition to your Toronto Zoo,” said the zoo’s CEO Dolf DeJong.

“We announced Mstari’s pregnancy on Mother’s Day last year and after a 15-month pregnancy, we are thrilled to have a healthy calf in our care.”

The calf was born at 1:26 a.m. on Sunday and was already standing about 30 minutes later, around 2 a.m.

The mom and baby were left to bond on Sunday.

The first health check happened Monday morning, when the health team confirmed the calf is female and that she’s healthy.

She’s six feet, four inches tall, or 1.95 metres.

The Toronto Zoo is part of a breeding program among accredited zoos for Masai giraffes, which were declared endangered several years ago.

“Breeding introductions were carefully observed up to Nov. 4, 2024,  and in January 2025, our reproductive science team analyzed several months of fecal samples for pregnancy hormone levels and confirmed that Mstari was showing normal hormonal signs of being pregnant,” the Toronto Zoo said.

“We are overjoyed to share the heartwarming news of this special arrival, and it carries even deeper meaning as we honour Kiko, the calf’s father, who unexpectedly passed away last month. While we continue to feel his absence, his legacy lives on.”

There are less than 35,000 Masai giraffes in the wild, marking a 50 per cent drop over the past 30 years, with illegal hunting and habitat loss their primary threats, the Toronto Zoo said.

The zoo said it supports field conservation efforts through the Wild Nature Institute’s Masai Giraffe Project.

The baby calf and her mom are currently not available for viewing at the zoo.

“Watch for baby and mom updates to be shared on our social media, including when you will have an opportunity to meet this tallest bundle of joy,” the zoo said.

Lead image via YouTube / Toronto Zoo


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