CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) -
The Cincinnati Zoo has welcomed a new member to its animal family.
Tessa the Giraffe gave birth to a female calf on Friday morning.
The Cincinnati Zoo's history with giraffe births dates back to 1889 when it became the first zoo in the Western Hemisphere to have a giraffe born in captivity.
This will be Tessa and her mate, Kimba's, second calf. Their first calf, Zuri, was born in April 2011, but was euthanized at 7-weeks-old after she broke her leg in her indoor stall.
The calf is doing well and spending this time bonding with her mom and dad in their indoor stall at Giraffe Ridge.
The public got their first chance to see Tessa and her new baby girl on October 15th from the windows of the Giraffe Ridge exhibit.
Name suggestions for the baby giraffe will be accepted on the zoo's Facebook and Twitter accounts through end of day Wednesday, October 17.
On Thursday, October 18, the zoo will post the top three names, chosen by Zoo staff, on its Facebook page.
There, people can vote for their favorite and the winning name will be announced Friday.
The female giraffe, born Friday, October 12, is doing well and spending this time bonding with her mom, "Tessa" and her dad, "Kimba" in their indoor stall at Giraffe Ridge. Beginning Monday, October 15, Zoo visitors can view the family through windows on the Giraffe Ridge deck.
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Source: Cincinnati Zoo
