Keepers believe the calf, as yet unnamed, is a male.
Both Grif, the 12-year old mother, and the infant are doing well. The father is Lionel, an 11 year zoo resident. The Masai giraffe is one of the eight recognized subspecies of giraffes. There are only about 25 Masai giraffes in North America today and Grif's offspring are important because they carry genes from a new bloodline not represented in North America. The birth was unusual in that it occurred later in the day than is typical.