New Grevy's Zebra Foal Now on Exhibit at Franklin Park Zoo

By Brianne Barrett

Boston, MA - With Thanksgiving only a few days away, the staff at Franklin Park Zoo has even more reason to give thanks with the recent births of a Grevy’s zebra and a potto.

The Grevy’s zebra foal, born November 19, is the offspring of Evita, 14, and Menelik, 12. This is Evita’s fourth foal and Menelik’s sixth. The foal, a male weighing 104 pounds, made his exhibit debut today with his mother.

Zoo New England has been an active, and very successful, participant in the Grevy’s Zebra Species Survival Plan, which is a cooperative, inter-zoo program coordinated nationally through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. SSPs are designed to maintain a genetically diverse and demographically stable captive population. There are currently 163 Grevy's zebras – the largest species of zebra – in the United States among 38 institutions. In addition to the new foal, there are four females and one male Grevy’s zebra at Franklin Park Zoo.

“I am thrilled to announce this significant birth. We have been very successful in breeding Grevy’s zebras at Franklin Park Zoo and each birth contributes greatly to the future survival of this endangered species,” said John Linehan, Zoo New England President and CEO. “These animals serve as ambassadors for their species and educate people about the importance of habitat protection and species preservation around the world.”

Grevy's are the most endangered of all zebra species mostly due to habitat loss and poaching by humans, despite recent efforts to ban hunting in their native lands. They are primarily found in Kenya, with a smaller population in Ethiopia. Currently in the wild the species number less than 2,500 individuals, a significant loss from more than 15,000 animals reported in the late 1970s.

Five days before the zebra was born, a potto was born inside Franklin Park Zoo’s Tropical Forest. The birth gives a boost to the tiny North American captive population which only numbers 14 animals. Franklin Park Zoo is one of three zoos in the country to exhibit them, and one of the only zoos which has been consistently adding to the captive population.

The baby potto, which was born November 14 and is not yet named, is the offspring of Aluna (mother) and Chaggah (father). This is Aluna’s second baby and she is parent-rearing the infant behind the scenes at Franklin Park Zoo. Aluna, who was born at the zoo in 2006, was hand-reared by the zookeepers after it was determined that her mother was unable to adequately care for her.

“That Aluna was hand-reared and is now parent-rearing her second offspring is an incredible accomplishment,” said Linehan, who added, “Each birth is a significant step in preserving these fascinating animals. As with any new birth, we are closely monitoring the baby’s health and development. The baby has been doing well and we hope it continues to thrive.”

The baby weighed 35 grams at birth, or just over one ounce. It is difficult to determine the gender of young prosimians and the baby’s sex will most likely not be known for several months.

Pottos are small primates native to the forests and wooded savannahs of West Africa and Central Africa. The nocturnal animals, which are covered with dark brownish fur, are slow-moving, well-camouflaged and are found in the forest canopy. Pottos, whose body-lengths measure between 12 to 15 inches long, give birth to one to two offspring. Full-grown pottos weigh just less than 3 pounds and have large, dark round eyes.

The pottos were bred as part of the Potto Population Management Plan (PMP), which is a cooperative, inter-zoo program coordinated nationally through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. PMPs are specific to individual species, and designed to ensure the long-term survival and health of the captive population. The Potto PMP was started by a former Zoo New England zookeeper in the mid-1990s.

Zoo New England manages Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Stone Zoo in Stoneham. Both are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Zoo New England's mission is to inspire people to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations by creating fun and engaging experiences that integrate wildlife and conservation programs, research, and education.

To view Franklin Park Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-1772-Franklin_Park_Zoo

Zebra photo credit – Kim Jacobs, Zoo New England.