A rare giraffe was born in Greenwich, Conn. on March 22 in front of an eager crowd.

Listed as an endangered species, a 6-year-old Rothschild giraffe by the name of Petal gave birth to a healthy female calf, according to the Greenwich Time. The mother giraffe now has two offspring being held at the LEO Zoological Conservation Center.

"It's really astonishing how a huge animal like that ... how delicately and in such a nurturing way she approaches caring for her calf," said Marcella Leone, the center's founder and director.

Leone said that the newborn calf is expected to grow to an astounding height of 18 feet.

There are less than 670 Rothschild giraffes remaining in the wild and they can usually be found in Uganda and Kenya, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Rothschild giraffes can be identified by their coats, which are usually composed of a mix of dark and bright creamy patches.

While the baby giraffe has yet to be named, the conservation center has put together a contest for who guesses the closest time of the calf's birth. The winner of the respective competition will be granted a special visit with the giraffe and get the opportunity to pick out her name.

Tags: offbeat