VIERA, Fla. – A giraffe born at the Brevard Zoo has set a new record.
After a gestation period lasting more than a year, 14-year-old Milenna gave birth to the male calf early Monday morning. Both mother and son will remain behind the scenes for several weeks.
At 6 feet 4 inches tall, the calf is the tallest ever to be born at the zoo.
"Our team conducted a neonatal exam on Tuesday afternoon, and everything looks good so far. He's very energetic, which is always a positive sign," said Michelle Smurl, zoo director of animal programs.
It is the second giraffe born at the zoo in the last four months. The first one, a female, has yet to be named and was born Nov. 29 to Johari. Rafiki, 17, is the father of both calves.
Six of the zoo’s seven giraffe belong to the Masai subspecies, which is native to Tanzania and southern Kenya.