August 15, 2010
Baby Fever Hits the Phoenix Zoo
More than three dozen new babies have been born at the Phoenix Zoo in
the past couple of months, and the newest arrival, two Grevy’s zebras!
From tadpoles to a vulture, big horn sheep to
prairie dogs, it is baby fever at the Phoenix Zoo! Over the last month, the Zoo has welcomed
into the world dozens of babies.
The invasion began with four big horn sheep, one calf, two dozen prairie
dogs, bands of tadpoles, a vulture, two White-fronted marmosets and the arrival
of two Masai giraffes brought over from San Diego and Los Angeles.
The influx of babies continued with the most recent arrival of two baby Grevy’s
zebras!
The two female Grevy’s zebras are on display to the public along the
Africa Trail. Both babies and mothers are doing well. Born to Masika and Afiya,
the babies share Punda as their father. This is the fourth foal for Masika and the fifth for Afiya. Masika’s
foal is playful, independent and loves to run and jump through the bushes of
the exhibit. Afiya’s foal is shy and reserved, but still enjoys kicking up her
back feet. The most recent births mark the 16th and 17th Grevy’s
zebras to be born at the Zoo since 1987.
With all of the recent additions to the Phoenix Zoo, keepers at the Zoo
need some help in naming the two foals, so the Zoo is having a "naming contest that will run through June 18th.
Phoenix Zoo keepers have narrowed the selection down to five sets of
names. You can vote for your favorite set of names at phoenixzoo.org. The
winning names will be announced on Monday, June 21, 2010 on the Zoo’s website, phoenixzoo.org.
- Amira –
Swahili for “Princess” and Kirafiki
–Swahili for “Friendly”
- Adia
–African for “Being a Gift” and Akua
–African for “Born on Wednesday”
- Shade
–African for “Sweetly Singing” and Kali –
African for “Time” or “Black”
- Himeko –
Japanese for “Princess Child” and Akira
– Japanese for “Intelligent”
- Chloe –
Greek for “Young Shoot” and Nkiruka
– African for “A Good Future”
Grevy’s zebras are endangered with less than 2,500 left in the wild due
to loss of habitat, competition with livestock and poaching. As the largest
zebra species, Grevy’s can be distinguished from other zebras by their longer
legs, more narrow stripes, white, stripeless underbelly and large rounded ears.
Grevy’s zebras are only found in northern Kenya and south eastern Ethiopia.
The Phoenix Zoo is dedicated to saving Grevy’s zebras through
conservation in the wild and on Zoo grounds. The two female foals are the
result of a breeding recommendation by the Association
of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, which ensures the genetic
diversity of select species. The Phoenix Zoo is also a proud partner of the Grevy’s Zebra Trust,
an organization dedicated to the conservation of Grevy’s zebras.
About the Phoenix Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo is a non-profit zoological park that serves
1.5 million guests annually. Home to more than 1,300 animals and many
endangered and threatened species, the Zoo is dedicated to providing experiences that inspire people and motivate them to care for
the natural world.
© 2010
