New giraffe born at Cincinnati Zoo

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is announcing its new baby giraffe is a girl.

The zoo says 7-year-old mother Tessa gave birth to her calf at 5:40 a.m. today. The event was featured live on Twitter.

Mother and daughter will be visible through the viewing glass at Giraffe Ridge. It’s Tessa’s third calf in three years. She gave birth to Lulu in 2012 and to Zuri in 2011. Zuri broke her leg in a stall at 7 weeks old and had to be euthanized.

Tessa and her mating partner, Kimba, have both been at the Cincinnati Zoo since 2008.

The zoo is having a public naming contest for the newborn. Entries will be accepted through the facility’s Facebook page beginning Tuesday and ending Thursday.