The Oakland Zoo in California has a new baby on board!

Meet Kendi, a healthy giraffe born last week.

The newest addition to the zoo's giraffe herd weighs 150 pounds and stands 6 ½ feet tall.

For perspective, Kendi is already about as tall as Michael Jordan and the height of an average artificial Christmas tree.

“We’re so excited to have a new baby join the herd," Amy Phelps, an assistant zoological Manager at the zoo said. "With the expertise of our staff, we’re prepared to assist Kijiji as she enters this stage in life as a new mother."

Giraffes are classified as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

According to the zoo, the new baby's name means “loved one” in Swahili, to pay respect to the language spoken in Kenya, where reticulated giraffes are found in the wild.

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About 15 months of pregnancy

Kendi is the first calf of Kijiji, who gave birth to her on Oct. 19 after a long pregnancy (giraffes have a gestation period of 14-16 months), the zoo announced on its website.

In 2020, Kendi's mother was brought to the Oakland Zoo from the Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City, Kansas.

Zookeepers say Kijiji is "curious, intelligent, and sassy" with "excellent" training skill that came in handy in the month prior to her delivery.

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New mom and baby bonding out of public eye

Zoo officials said the new mom and baby are under the watchful eye of zookeepers in the zoo's giraffe barn.

"Kendi is already standing and walking around the giraffe barn and has successfully nursed from its mother," the zoo wrote.

Kendi is expected to remain out of public eye with her mom for about two weeks as the pair hopefully bond.   

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

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