Anna the Grevy’s Zebra is Pregnant
This Friday, January 31, is International Zebra Day and this year we’ve got something extra special to celebrate: a baby zebra on the way! Anna the Grevy’s zebra is pregnant and expecting her first foal late this spring.
Anna and her mate Ben came to Reid Park Zoo last spring thanks to a breeding recommendation as a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.
Keepers observed breeding behavior between Ben and Anna shortly after they were introduced at the Zoo. They began to suspect Anna was pregnant when there were behavior changes between the two zebras, and the pregnancy was confirmed with a fecal hormone test. Keepers are monitoring Anna’s health and weight throughout the pregnancy, and carefully tracking her food intake to make sure she is getting enough calories.
Grevy’s zebras are an endangered species whose population in the wild has dropped by 83% over the last 40 years, with fewer than 2,500 Grevy’s zebras remaining in Africa today.
Animal Care Supervisor, Adam Ramsey, says “This news is exciting because it has been 8 years since our last zebra birth at Reid Park Zoo. With so few left in the wild, it is an important birth for the conservation of the species”.
Anna will be a first-time mom, so staff will be monitoring carefully to be sure she tends the foal shortly after birth for important nutrients vital to its health. This will also be Ben’s first foal. He will be introduced to the baby once staff monitor his behavior with the youngster.
Keep an eye on our social media and we’ll let you know when you can spot baby zebra stripes at the Zoo!