This last week has been a flurry of stripes at Reid Park Zoo! The animal care team gave Tuari, our 9-year-old male Grey’s zebra a full physical, complete with a dental check and hoof trim. After we made sure Tuari was in great shape, he traveled to his new home at Phoenix Zoo. This move was chosen for Tuari because he and two female zebras at Phoenix Zoo have a breeding recommendation.

However, Reid Park Zoo can still celebrate zebra stripes! We welcomed two new Grevy’s zebras this week: Benjamin, a 16-year-old male, and Anna, a 5-year-old female.

Ben came from San Diego Zoo where he was living with other male zebras. Anna traveled from Sedgwick County Zoo where she lived with another female zebra. Both Ben and Anna are settling in well and will be introduced to the zebra habitat over the coming weeks, before being introduced to each other.

This pair of zebras also has a breeding recommendation as a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan®  which will contribute to this endangered species. The SSP is a program responsible for maintaining a genetically healthy population of threatened and endangered species for the long-term. In the 1980s, the wild population of Grevy’s zebras in Africa was 15,000. Due to habitat loss and hunting, that number is down to fewer than 2,500 today.

We’re excited about the opportunity for Benjamin and Anna (and Tuari at Phoenix Zoo) to contribute to the survival of their species.