Express & Star

Second baby Grévy’s zebra born at West Midlands Safari Park

It's a boy!

Published
Second ever baby Grévy’s zebra

West Midland Safari Park is celebrating the arrival of its second ever baby Grévy’s zebra.

The newborn, who does not yet have a name, was born within a month of the first baby Grévy’s zebra for the park, a half-sister named Grace.

After 13 months of pregnancy, the stripy youngster was born during the early hours of Sunday morning and keepers were delighted to find the adorable foal already steady on his feet within an hour.

Born to first-time mum Montana and now second-time dad Quigley, the foal spent his first day on the Safari getting used to his surroundings and meeting some of the other residents.

His sibling Grace, who was born less than three weeks ago on July 26 to mum Akuna and dad Quigley, has already made an impression at the Bewdley attraction and has been busy showing her younger brother the ropes.

Lauren Goodman, African Ungulates Keeper, said: "We were delighted to discover that we had another addition to the Grévy’s zebra family over the weekend.

"He joins his half-sister, Grace, on the African Reserve and both are full of energy whilst exploring their new home. First-time mum, Montana, who came from Poland Zoo, had been looking very uncomfortable over the past few days, but she foaled with no problems at all.

"This is not only great news for the Park, but also for the Grévy zebra as a species. With only approximately 3,000 left in the wild, they are classified as ‘endangered’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. We will take great pride in watching both of our new additions grow up over the coming months."

Keepers will be choosing a name for the foal beginning with ‘G’, as all babies born at the park in 2018 will begin with this letter.

Next week, from August 18 to 24, the park will be dedicating a week to raising awareness for the Grévy’s species.