Today in unbearably cute news, the Woodland Park Zoo just played host two days ago to what may be the Earth's most adorable creature (sorry, koala bear): the baby giraffe.

The new giraffe, which they just found out is a boy, was born August 6 at 7:03 p.m. to six-year-old Olivia. The father, seven-year-old Chioke, passed away back in January. The baby, still unnamed, stands at six feet and weighs 144 pounds.

All seems to be normal health-wise. Blood tests show the calf is nursing normally and he's been moving around just fine. Dr. Darin Collins, the zoo's director of animal health, says, “The first 24 to 72 hours are critical for giraffe calves, but so far he seems to be doing well."

As for seeing the little guy, it could still be a while. It might be a week or two before follows his mom outside, but already he's showing signs of wanderlust.

“He’s a very mobile calf,” explained Martin Ramirez, a curator at the zoo. “We anticipated a week or two before he follows his mom to the outdoor corral but he’s showing early signs of curiosity and adventure, so it’s possible zoo-goers can see him as early as this weekend. However, expect sporadic viewing since he can choose to go off view in the barn.”

It'll be a few months before he's introduced into the African Savanna Exhibit.

With a declining giraffe population, the new babe is cause for celebration. Woodland Park Zoo gives the stats: "The population of giraffes has declined by more than 40 percent over the past 15 years with current estimates of only 80,000 individuals remaining in Africa. Among the nine subspecies of giraffes, the West African and Rothschild’s are endangered, with fewer than 250 and more than 670, respectively, remaining in the wild. Giraffes face a number of threats including poaching, habitat loss for their feeding ranges, and the soaring human population growth."

For more, visit www.zoo.org/blog

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