Endangered giraffe mom and newborn split from herd to bond, CA zoo says. See it

An endangered baby Masai giraffe has been born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in California, officials say.

The male calf, which has not yet been named, was born April 23 to giraffes Mara and Gowon, the zoo said in a Tuesday, April 29, news release.

Mara and her calf have split from the herd to bond after labor and delivery, zoo officials said. When they rejoin the herd, the other giraffes will help look after the newborn.

“Giraffes are very attentive to and protective of their newborns,” zoo officials said in the release. New giraffe mothers also split from their herds in the wild.

Guests can see Mara and her calf in the South Africa habitat, officials said.

Masai giraffes are considered endangered, the zoo said. They have few natural predators, but their population has declined by 30% over the past 35 years because of habitat loss.

They can grow up to 18 feet tall and weigh up to 2,860 pounds, according to Animalia. They are the tallest land animals on Earth and live up to about 30 years.

The Masai giraffe has a 20-inch-long tongue. They are found in the wild in central and southern Kenya and in Tanzania.

This story was originally published April 30, 2025 at 11:30 AM with the headline "Endangered giraffe mom and newborn split from herd to bond, CA zoo says. See it."