INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Zoo announced the birth of a male reticulated giraffe on Tuesday.
The baby giraffe was born early Sunday, and he is the first calf for his 3-year-old mother, Mika. He weighs 137 pounds, stood about 6 feet tall at birth and will be several feet taller by his first birthday, according to a release from the zoo.
"Zookeepers said the calf is curious, following close behind mom and nursing well," the release said. "The other members of the herd have shown interest in interacting, even licking the calf through the stall fence."
The new calf's appearance matches closer to his father, 10-year-old Majani, with his lighter, caramel-colored patches.
The zoo will conduct a public naming contest on social media in the near future.
The addition of the new calf brings the zoo's giraffe herd to five. They will spend much of the winter in a climate-controlled indoor facility, and guest will be be able to meet the new calf in the spring.
