"Stella began showing signs of labor early Tuesday morning July 14," said McGivern. "By about 10:30 a.m. we noticed the baby's front feet emerging from the birth canal. She was in labor about 85 minutes and the baby was born just before noon," said McGivern.

Check out the baby photos!: Slideshow

Stella immediately began washing and nuzzling the newborn. "She has done so well for a first time mother," said McGivern. "She encouraged him to stand up by nudging him and the little boy was standing on his own at the tender age of 45 minutes," added McGivern. Mom Stella is 2 years old. The father, Winston, is 3 years of age.

Stella wasn't shy about having her first calf, giving birth near the front of the Zoo's giant eland exhibit with an audience of approximately two dozen guests, including children from one of the Zoo's Camp Zoofari classes. Stella and her new calf remained near the front of the exhibit, greeted by Zoo guests as dad Winston joined the group to inspect his firstborn son.

With the calf's arrival, the Houston Zoo is now home to five giant eland including Stella's 6 year old mother Dorothy and Elwood, who was born last year. The newest arrival has not yet been named.

The world's largest antelope, Eastern and Western giant eland inhabit only a small fraction of their former range in Africa's west and central woodlands. Eastern giant eland, the species that lives at the Houston Zoo are classified by conservation organizations as threatened. Approximately 14,000 Eastern giant eland may be found today in Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Sudan. Western giant eland are classified as endangered. In 1990, it was believed that fewer than 1,000 Western giant eland lived in Senegal and the Niokolo Koba National Park. Social animals, giant eland are browsers, much like deer, and prefer to eat fresh leaf buds.

Recognized by Parents magazine as one of the Ten Best Zoos for Kids, the Houston Zoo is an exciting live animal adventure that provides a unique educational and conservation resource serving 1.6 million guests annually. Set in a 55-acre lush tropical landscape, the Zoo is home to more than 4,500 exotic animals representing more than 800 species. Operated by the not-for-profit Houston Zoo, Inc., the Houston Zoo is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species, the provision of engaging educational opportunities and the creation of stimulating exhibits that broaden the experiences of our guests and encourage their curiosity.

The Houston Zoo is located at 6200 Golf Course Drive in beautiful Hermann Park. The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during Central Standard Time (last admission at 5 p.m.) and from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. during Central Daylight Time (last admission at 6 p.m.). The Zoo is closed Christmas Day. Regular admission is $10 for adults, $6 for seniors, $6 for children ages 2-11 and FREE for children under 2. Visit the courtesy booth at your neighborhood Fiesta Mart and purchase an adult Zoo admission for $8 and a child Zoo admission for $5. Zoo memberships start at only $55. For information on all the great benefits of becoming a Zoo member call (713) 533-6713 or visit our Web site at www.houstonzoo.org.

Ride METRORail to the Houston Zoo from the Fannin South Park and Ride lot. With frequent service, METRORail is a convenient answer to traffic congestion in the Texas Medical Center/Hermann Park/Museum District corridor. For METRORail information, visit www.ridemetro.org.

The Houston Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information visit www.aza.org.