Lulu ventures outdoors for first time

CINCINNATI - The Cincinnati Zoo's new baby giraffe went outside for the first time Wednesday.

Lulu, the 12-day-old giraffe,was allowed into the outdoor yard near her pen, zoo officials said. The baby giraffe eagerly explored outside with her mom and dad by her side.

Lulu was born Oct. 12 and is bonding well with her mom, Tessa, and her dad, Kimba. The infant was named as part of a contest held on Facebook. The winning entry, Lulu, means “precious" in Swahili. Also, Zoo officials live-tweeted Lulu’s birth and posted photographs along the way.

Lulu is Tessa's second calf. Her first calf, Zuri, was born in April 2011, but died about seven weeks later after fracturing her leg.