OMAHA, Neb. -- Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo has officially announced the arrival of a new baby giraffe.

The zoo's adult giraffe, Zola, delivered a new calf early Sunday morning. She was 5'7" tall and weight 108 lbs. at birth, with the new calf standing for the first time approximately 50 minutes later.

Despite a normal delivery, Zola did not show the expected level of maternal care toward her calf, according to zoo officials. The zoo's veterinary and animal care teams have stepped in and are providing around-the-clock care for the calf, according to a Facebook post issued Wednesday.

Zoo officials say such a scenario is one that the zoo's animal care team prepares for in anticipation of an animal's birth. Staff were monitoring Zola 24 hours a day and were on site hours before the delivery, as she began exhibiting signs of labor.

“Our team spends months preparing for animal births and for as many different outcomes as imaginable,” said Dr. Taylor Yaw, the zoo’s director of animal health. “In this case, as we monitored mom and calf after the birth, we were able to make the decision to intervene. We provided nutrition and medical care to the calf, which included a plasma transfusion from 14-year-old father Jawara’s previously banked plasma. Our team is working to transition the calf to a bottle.

The plasma is intended to boost the calf’s immune system. The animal care team has worked with Jawara for years to train him for voluntary blood draws. We are hopeful that those efforts - and that plasma - will help Jarawa’s newborn calf.”

The Henry Doorly Zoo is part of a national plasma bank to help giraffes across the country. In June 2022, Jawara’s plasma was similarly used to successfully treat Kay, a giraffe calf at the Lincoln’s Children’s Zoo.

“Our teams are excited about this birth, and cautiously optimistic that our treatments, supportive care and unwavering dedication will help this baby giraffe survive,” said Dr. Luis R. Padilla, our president and CEO. “Our giraffe calf is in the best hands, receiving continuous care and love from our talented veterinarians, technicians and caretakers.”

According to zoo officials, Zola is currently well while currently living with the giraffe herd, but she will remain under observation for any postpartum concerns.

The Syd and Betty Cate Giraffe Herd Room will be intermittently closed to the public to allow for the care and some quiet time for the calf, zoo officials said.