Cheyenne Mountain Zoo celebrates baby giraffe
Posted: 01.24.2013 at 4:11 PM
Updated: 01.25.2013 at 7:35 AM

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo welcomed a new addition to the family this past Sunday.

"We had a giraffe give birth on Sunday," said Tracy Thessing of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. "And it brings our total number of giraffe up to 21. I think it's really interesting for people to know that they usually stand up within 30 to 60 minutes of being born which is really incredible when you think how long their legs are."

Since 1954, there have been 197 giraffe calves born at the zoo.

This 5'4", 104 pound male calf is in apparent good health. Both he and his mother, Msichana, have been temporarily moved into the giraffe building.

The calf is 11-year-old Msichana's second offspring. The "little" guy will be named 30 days after birth, according the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo tradition.