Watch Phoenix Zoo's 2nd Giraffe Calf In Year Ham It Up In Video

PHOENIX, AZ — Who can resist the sweet face and the big lash-veiled brown eyes of a baby giraffe? Not the Phoenix Zoo, where the second Masai giraffe calf in less than a year was born last week. Both mom and the yet-to-be-named female calf are doing fine.

The population boom is thanks to the zoo’s participation in the zoo-wide Masai Giraffe Species Survival Plan. It’s a kind of matchmaker service for threatened and endangered species that pairs animals for breeding according to their genetics and other desirable traits.

The “union” that produced the new calf was carefully planned. Miguu, 9, the calf’s father, came to Phoenix in 2010, and Imara, 7, arrived in 2012. The yet-to-be-named calf is “extremely well cared for by her very protective mother,” the zoo said in a press release.

They’ll remain in the giraffe barn, an off-exhibit area, until the calf is old enough to meet the other animals and travel along the savanna habitat created for them.

Last year, Siku, a female Masai giraffe, was born last September to mom Sunshine.

The zoo promised frequent updates about the baby on its social media channels, delivering with the first video of the new calf (above). “Loads of cuteness,” the video correctly promises. Next week, the zoo will announce the details of its baby naming contest.

It’s no big deal for a giraffe, but think about what it must have been like for Imara to give birth. Remember, giraffes are the tallest mammals on the planet — towering around 15 or 20 feet when fully grown — and they have long legs made for running, so any kick a human baby might offer in the womb would be a mere finger flick in comparison.

Giraffes give birth while standing up, so the calf drops about 6 feet to the ground with hooves and head first. It’s up and attempting its first steps within minutes.

Photos and video courtesy of Phoenix Zoo