Baby giraffe at Buenos Aires zoo a head above the rest

Mother giraffe Jacky pampers her new-born at Buenos Aires zoo on July 16, 2013
Mother giraffe Jacky pampers her new-born at Buenos Aires zoo on July 16, 2013. The calf who weighs 85 kg and measures 1.90m will receive a name after a poll among children visiting the zoo during next month.

He's just a week old but already stands 1.9 meters (6.2 feet) tall, and the spindly gait of the Buenos Aires zoo's new baby giraffe is a crowd-pleaser.

At a wiry but sturdy 85 kilograms (187 pounds), the still unnamed boy is the son of Jacky, an 11-year-old female, and Buddy, a six-year-old male that was brought in from neighboring Chile.

The new made a grand entrance by dropping from more than a meter high when his mother gave birth.

Crowds have flocked to the museum's newest attraction, and Argentine children on their winter holiday have been asked to submit ideas for his name.

The lucky name-picker will become an honorary godparent, officials said.

The tallest animals on earth, adult giraffes can sometimes hit six meters (19.6 feet) in height and live to be 30.

© 2013 AFP

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