Como Zoo's new baby giraffe already stands at 5-foot-8

The Como Zoo this week has a new addition: a baby giraffe born Monday.

And if Mama Clover permits, she will make her public debut Thursday. Giraffes at the Como Zoo have the option of going out into the yard or staying inside, and Clover seems more inclined to stay behind the scenes, according to a release issued by the zoo.

The yet-to-be-named female is the sixth calf born to Clover, and the 19th giraffe born at the zoo since the early 1990s, Como officials said. She already stands 5 feet 8 inches, and weighs 135 pounds.

The baby joins the Como's herd of giraffes, which includes her father Skeeter, Daisy and Sky in addition to Clover.

Zoo officials said that in the baby's first two years of life, she can expect to grow twice as tall as she is now.

Kevin Duchschere • 651-925-5035