New Baby Giraffe

Sydney Zoo has a new giraffe calf, born in December 2025 to first-time mum Eyama, it’s a historic moment for the zoo and a rare opportunity for visitors to witness one of the world’s tallest animals at its very smallest.

Born in the late evening, the male calf arrived following a closely monitored 15-month pregnancy. While giraffe births are dramatic by nature - involving a significant first drop to the ground - keepers quickly identified that this little one would need extra support in his earliest days.

Weighing approximately 60–70kg at birth, the calf required intensive, round-the-clock care from Sydney Zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams, who stepped in to hand-raise him through the critical first weeks. This extraordinary effort included overnight feeds, physiotherapy and constant monitoring to ensure he was feeding, moving and growing as expected.

Now just over a month old, the calf is thriving and has already grown to over 120kg, putting on weight rapidly and showing strong signs of healthy development. Keepers say his personality is beginning to shine, with plenty of curiosity, confidence and playful energy emerging as he explores his surroundings.

Tim Bennett, Exotics Animal Care Manager says, “Hand-raising a giraffe is not something we take lightly - it’s an enormous commitment - but the dedication of our keepers and vets working around the clock has given this calf the very best start.”

The calf joins Sydney Zoo’s growing tower of giraffes, which includes mum Eyama and dad Akiki. With genetics that include one of the tallest giraffes in the world in his family line, keepers are eager to see just how big this youngster will grow in the years ahead.

Visitors may be lucky enough to spot the baby giraffe making part-time appearances on the savannah, particularly in the morning hours, as the zoo carefully manages his gradual introduction to the habitat and wider herd. These limited viewings prioritise the calf’s welfare while allowing guests a rare glimpse of this special moment.

Sydney Zoo is inviting the community to help name the new giraffe calf, with animal lovers encouraged to vote from a shortlist of three names - Jasiri, Tamboti and Bahati  via Sydney Zoo’s website and social channels. The public naming competition will open on 2 February, with one lucky participant set to win a prize pack valued at $958.