Como Zoo welcomed an addition to its family last week, a baby female giraffe that will be introduced to the public Sunday.

The calf was born Sept. 1 to Clover, measuring at birth 5 feet 8 inches and weighing 130 pounds. She is Clover's fifth calf and the 17th giraffe born at Como in the last two decades, zoo officials said.

In addition to Clover and the new calf, Como's giraffe population also includes Skeeter, the proud father, and Daisy. The calf doesn't yet have a name. In the past, zoo officials have sponsored contests to name new giraffes.

Several giraffes have been shipped to other zoos for breeding programs.

Zoo officials said that within the next two years, the calf will grow twice as tall as it is now and may eventually reach 17 feet. Giraffes can run 35 miles per hour and are native to sub-Saharan Africa.

Como Zoo is free, although donations are welcomed. The zoo is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through the end of the month, when it switches to winter hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

KEVIN DUCHSCHERE

@KDuchschere