They say they’re head over hooves here at your Toronto Zoo with the birth of a Masai giraffe calf! The calf arrived at 1:26 am on Sunday, February 22nd and was already standing by about 2:00 am. Both Mom and baby have been doing well and were left to bond over the weekend. The first health check, conducted Monday morning, showed things are looking good for the “little” calf who measures about 6 feet 4 inches, or 1.95 metres. The Wildlife Health team was also able to confirm she’s a female!
“This endangered Masai giraffe calf is an incredible addition to your Toronto Zoo,” says Dolf DeJong, CEO, Your Toronto Zoo. “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, raising the profile of endangered Masai giraffes and inspiring our community to learn more and stand with us as Guardians of Wild.”
Your Toronto Zoo is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Masai Giraffe Species Survival Plan® (SSP), a cooperative breeding program among accredited zoos. Breeding introductions were carefully observed up to November 4, 2024, and , in January 2025, our Reproductive Science team analysed several months of fecal samples for pregnancy hormone levels and confirmed that Mstari was showing normal hormonal signs of pregnancy.
Honouring Kiko, who passed away unexpectedly
The zoo team is 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,” reads the news release from the Toronto Zoo.
In December 2018, the conservation status of Masai giraffes was elevated to Endangered by the International Union for Conservation and Nature (IUCN). Fewer than 35,000 Masai giraffes survive in the wild, having experienced more than a 50% decline in the past 30 years. Illegal hunting and habitat loss are their primary threats. Your Toronto Zoo continues to support field conservation efforts for the species through the Wild Nature Institute’s Masai Giraffe Project.
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!
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