Mother Imogen gave birth to the female foal in the early hours of Friday, October 12 at the Wild Explorers exhibit at Marwell.
Keepers say both mother and the yet-to-be-named foal are doing very well. The latest arrival takes the total number of Grevy’s zebra at the zoo to eight and is the first foal to be sired by resident stallion Fonzy.
Ian Goodwin, Animal Collection Manager for Hoofstock, said: “Imogen is looking after her foal very well. It’s great to watch her exploring her new surroundings at Wild Explorers, where we highlight the conservation work we carry out in Africa.
“Our new arrival is a very important and welcome addition to the endangered species breeding programme.”
In the late 1970s there were 15,000 Grevy’s zebra in the wild. Today there are estimated to be around 2,800 remaining.
The Grevy’s zebra has suffered one of the most drastic population declines of any African mammal due to climate change, habitat loss and competition with increasing livestock numbers.
Ian added: “Since 2003, Marwell Wildlife has been working with partners in northern Kenya to conserve Grevy's zebra. We employ a team of conservation biologists and scouts who work in the field and they have been instrumental in helping to create a national conservation strategy for the species.
“Marwell also manages the International Studbook and the European Ex situ Programme (EEP) for Grevy’s zebra.”
Related Members
-
News4 tiger cubs born at Longleat 17th May, 2024Four rare Amur tiger cubs have been born at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire to the delight of keepers. Their birth is important for the international…
-
NewsBristol conservation charity pledges to reverse the decline of 97 of the world’s most threatened species 17th May, 2024Conservation and education charity Bristol Zoological Society is pledging to conserve and protect dozens of species on the brink of extinction, which…
-
NewsRewilded Bison are climate heroes - new research 16th May, 2024New research from Yale University shows that 170 rewilded European Bison in Romania’s Tarcu mountains are helping to draw down and store the equivalent…