Baby on the way for Toronto Zoo's Masai giraffe

The Toronto Zoo is celebrating Mother's Day by preparing for a new arrival, as Mstari, an 11 year old Masai giraffe, is expecting a calf. 

Mstari is six months into her pregnancy, which typically lasts between 13 to 16 months, and is doing well so far, the zoo said in a news release Sunday. 

Based on her previous pregnancies, the zoo said it expects the birth to happen between late winter to early spring 2026. 

WATCH | Sunday's announcement is Mstari's 3rd pregnancy, zookeeper says:

Toronto Zoo’s giraffe pregnant with her third calf

4 days ago

Duration 0:46

Mstari, an 11-year-old Msai giraffe, is expected to give birth between late winter and early spring 2026, the Toronto Zoo said on Sunday. One of Mstari’s daughters went to Calgary last fall to participate in the same breeding program that she participated in and may have a calf of her own soon, zookeeper Amy Gerditschke said.

The father is Kiko, a 12 year old giraffe. Their pairing was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Masai Giraffe Species Survival Plan, which is a co-operative breeding program among accredited zoos, the news release said. 

Mstari was born at the Toronto Zoo and lives with Kiko in the same paddock, zookeeper Amy Gerditschke said.

Sunday's announcement marks Mstari's third pregnancy. One of Mstari's daughters went to the Calgary Zoo last fall and is set to participate in the same breeding program, she said. 

Masai giraffes are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, according to the Toronto Zoo's website. They are considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation and Nature. 

They typically live between 20 to 25 years, Gerditschke said. 

Fewer than 35,000 Masai giraffes survive in the wild, and the species has declined by more than 50 per cent in the last 30 years, according to Sunday's news release. Illegal hunting and habitat loss are their primary threats.