Utah’s Hogle Zoo celebrates arrival of 139-pound bundle of joy

A newborn giraffe calf stands between two adult giraffes inside the African Savanna barn at Utah’s Hogle Zoo after being born Jan. 26, 2026, the zoo said. The male calf was born to Minka and sired by Ja. Photo: Hogle Zoo

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Utah’s Hogle Zoo welcomed a male giraffe calf in the early morning hours of Jan. 26, marking a milestone for the zoo’s conservation efforts and delighting animal care staff who watched the newborn take his first wobbly steps, the zoo announced.

The 139-pound calf arrived at 1:38 a.m. to first-time mother Minka, an 8-year-old giraffe, and 5-year-old father Ja, according to the zoo. Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall at birth, the young giraffe made his entrance in typical fashion — dropping several feet to the ground onto a specially padded area zoo staff had prepared in the African Savanna barn, the zoo said.

Animal care staff observed the calf quickly stand and begin walking, then nurse and stay close to his attentive mother, the zoo reported. During an initial health check, staff noted the calf appeared calm and curious as he began exploring his surroundings, according to the zoo.

The new arrival has already attracted interest from across the barn, with Ja and other members of the giraffe herd watching the youngster from the other side of a fence, the zoo said.

Visitors will need to wait before meeting the newest member of the giraffe family, the zoo noted. Minka and her calf are bonding in a quieter space away from public view, while staff continue to monitor their progress, the zoo said. The timing also means they’ll likely remain indoors for now — the zoo’s giraffes typically stay inside when temperatures drop below 50 degrees, according to the zoo.

The birth carries added significance as giraffes face mounting pressures in the wild. The species is considered vulnerable, threatened by habitat loss, human population growth, and poaching, the zoo said. Utah’s Hogle Zoo supports Save Giraffes Now, an organization the zoo said works to prevent giraffe extinction and bolster protection efforts across Africa.