New giraffe calf, Zawadi, welcomed at Detroit Zoo

(WJBK) - For the second time in two years, the Detroit Zoo has a new arrival in the giraffe family. A female reticulated giraffe was born on Saturday, August 6 in the giraffe habitat.

The calf's name is Zawadi, which means gift in Swahili, one of the languages of East Africa where reticulated giraffes are found. She joins 7-year-old mother Kivuli, which is Swahili for "shadow", 8-year-old father Jabari, which is Swahili for "brave one", and brother Mpenzi, which is Swahili for "love", and who turns 2 at the end of September.

The calf was born outdoors at the giraffe habitat and weighed in at 166 pounds and stands 5 feet tall. Within 30 minutes of her birth, she took her first steps and then nursed through the night.

The calf has been monitored around the clock by zoo staff members and is doing well.

Zoo Director Ron Kagan joins us on The Nine to tell us more about the baby giraffe. You can watch in the video player above.

For more information, visit www.detroitzoo.org.