The zoo’s newest addition, pictured with his mom, Katie.
Courtesy of Dallas Zoo
If you’ll allow it, we’ve got a reason for you to take a break from today’s polarizing reception of Taylor Swift’s just-dropped Life of a Showgirl album, the ongoing rap cold war between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B and Texas’ dumb crusade against books you read in elementary school.
On Friday, the Dallas Zoo announced that it welcomed a baby giraffe late last month. The male giraffe, born to parents Katie and Tebogo, weighed 156 pounds and already stood at 5 feet 8 inches tall upon arrival — this might be devastating news for the short king community, now that we think about it.
The new addition is particularly exciting because reticulated giraffes are among the endangered animals in the wild. According to the zoo, the species has declined by 30% in the last three decades for various reasons, such as poaching and habitat loss.
“Welcoming a new calf is always a joyful moment for our Zoo family and our community,” Tina Cloutier Barbour, Zoo Associate VP of Animal Care and Welfare, said in a statement. “Every birth helps contribute to the long-term conservation of this incredible species.”
No word on when you can see him yet, but the zoo team says they’ll update us soon on his debut at the Giants of the Savanna habitat.
His name is unknown as of now, by the way, so we thought we’d offer a suggestion: Luka.