Giraffe unexpectedly gave birth in front of zoo visitors

The newest addition to the Virginia Zoo is a baby Maasai giraffe named Tisa.

(CNN) --

Visitors to the Virginia Zoo had a once-in-a-lifetime experience after a giraffe unexpectedly gave birth in front of them.

Imara, an endangered Maasai giraffe, gave birth to her ninth calf on Sept. 9, according to a Facebook post from the zoo.

Maasai giraffes, one of four giraffe subspecies, are listed as "endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Giraffes, found in Tanzania and Kenya, have suffered significant population declines due to poaching and habitat loss.

The calf was born with a weight of 55 kilos and a height of 1.80 meters, which is very appropriate considering that giraffes are the tallest mammals in the world.

• Giraffes have long been misunderstood and are just as socially complex as elephants, study finds

The calf was named Tisa, which means "nine" in Swahili, as a nod to her mother's parity and her birthday, according to a zoo news release.

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Tisa is "healthy and full of personality," says the zoo.

Shortly after her birth, visitors were able to see the newborn get up and start nursing.

And since September 19 he is already learning to run, says the press release.

Imara and the calf's father, Billy, were paired on the recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, the zoo explains.

As the species is in danger of extinction, "the birth of this new calf is especially important."

With Tisa's inclusion, the Virginia Zoo now houses a total of five giraffes.

• This baby giraffe explores its home at the Santa Barbara Zoo

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