Houston Zoo welcomes adorable baby giraffe
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Houston Zoo welcomed an adorable baby giraffe into the world earlier this week.
Masai giraffe mom Tyra was in labor for two hours before the yet-to-be-named baby girl was born just after 9 a.m. on Monday in the McGovern Giraffe Barn.
The new calf weighs 139 pounds and is estimated to be 6 feet 3 inches tall. She will grow to be more than 14 feet tall by adulthood.
Veterinarians will keep Tyra and her baby out of public view for the time being while the pair bonds.
Over the last decade, the number of giraffes born in the wild has dropped by 40 percent, and scientists estimate that less than 80,000 giraffes remain in the world. The Houston Zoo is home to six Masai giraffes, one of nine known subspecies.
Meanwhile, at the Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, New York, exceedingly pregnant internet celebrity April the giraffe has been on birth watch for more than a month and is expected to give birth to her calf any day.
SEE ALSO: 5 fun facts about giraffes
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