Gigi gives birth to male baby giraffe at El Paso Zoo

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- For the first time in El Paso's history, a giraffe has been born at the El Paso Zoo. Gigi gave birth to the male after 15 months of pregnancy.

The healthy baby was delivered last Wednesday, April 19, at about 9 p.m. in the Zoo's hoof stock barn with dad and Juma watching.

“In the last 30 years, the giraffe population in Africa has declined by more than 40% to approximately 100,000 animals. Giraffes are now extinct in seven African countries and all giraffe species are critically endangered,” said El Paso Zoo Director Joe Montisano. “This birth is significant not only for the El Paso Zoo but also for the overall giraffe population. Mom and baby appear to be doing great and the zoo couldn’t be more excited! It is not every day you have a 6-foot, 110-pound baby born.” 

The giraffe feeding encounters will be suspended to give the giraffe family some time to settle in.