Kansas City Zoo announces birth of female giraffe calf. Meet Aspen
While its giraffe exhibit remains under construction and closed to the public, the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium gave animal lovers a behind-the-scenes peak at their newborn baby giraffe this week.
Friday, the KC Zoo announced the birth of Aspen, a female Masai giraffe who was born to 4-year-old giraffe Alika on Dec. 29, 2025.
According to a social media post, a medical exam shows Aspen is in good health after birth. She has already been spending quality time with her giraffe family and animal care specialists, the post said.
“Aspen is already spending quality time with 2-month-old half-brother, Beni, and getting a masterclass in zoomies courtesy of her half-sister, 1 1/2-year-old Willow,” the zoo said on Instagram.
Aspen is her mother Alika’s first calf, and is the third calf fathered by a giraffe named Aiden, the zoo said. Other members of the giraffe heard include adult females Makali and Chandy, who are the respective mothers to Willow and Beni.
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KC Zoo giraffe conservation efforts
Masai giraffes are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The KC Zoo said it partners with Save Giraffes Now on co-existence projects in the Athi-Kapiti region of Kenya. The region is heavily populated, and human and wildlife conflict is a constant struggle, the zoo said.
The zoo also participates in The Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, which aims to help ensure giraffe populations in accredited facilities remain genetically diverse and stable.
According to the social media post, Aspen’s birth is part of a “Wild Beginnings” program sponsored by Saint Luke’s Health System that celebrates “zooborns” at the KC Zoo.
Love for baby giraffe Aspen
Several people took to the comments section of the post Friday to welcome the new giraffe calf to the world.
One Instagram user, @kategoodsworld said, “Hi Aspen! I can’t wait to meet you. I hope you have a wonderful life.”
Another commenter, @veronicaairl, said, “I can’t wait to see these new and not so new babies at the zoo again.”
The Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department and the Memphis Zoo also showed their support.
“Congratulations! Hi Aspen,” the Memphis Zoo commented.
Due to construction underway on a new giraffe complex, the zoo’s entire giraffe herd will remain behind the scenes until the new habitat opens this summer, the zoo said in its post Friday.
However, people can still view the giraffes on a live video feed available only at the zoo.
People can learn more about the new giraffe exhibit being built on the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium’s website.
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