Wellington Zoo Chief Executive Karen Fifield (MNZM) says the new-born’s arrival has been long awaited.
"We are thrilled for the calf to be joining our Zoo whānau," says Karen, who is also President of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
“We are grateful to both our Zoo whānau and the Wellington community that have supported us throughout Zuri’s pregnancy to where we are now – our first giraffe birth in nearly two decades!"
The new addition is the first giraffe born at Wellington Zoo since 2004.
At a day old, the calf and its mother are being kept physically separate from Sunny and Zahara while maintaining audio-visual and olfactory access.
Once Zuri and her calf have bonded, Zahara will be able to meet her great-niece, followed by Sunny as the calf is integrated into the herd.