Local News Animals from two rare species born at Franklin Park Zoo for the first time The two are of three new animals at the zoo, including a Harmann’s mountain zebra, yellow-billed stork, and wattled crane chick.
Three new animals have been born at Franklin Park Zoo over the past few months, including a zebra, stork, and crane.
Two of the animals are the first of their species to be born at the zoo.
“The three new arrivals – a Hartmann’s mountain zebra, a yellow-billed stork and a wattled crane — are each important for the future success of each species as well as testament to the Zoo’s expert care,” Zoo New England said in a press release April 26. “And to hear guests gush, it is clear they are a visitor highlight too!”
First Hartmann’s mountain zebra born at the zoo last week
In a first for the zoo and the most recent arrival of a baby animal, a Hartmann’s mountain zebra was born in the “wee hours” of the morning April 24, according to the press release. It is the first foal born to two other 5-and 6-year-old Hartmann’s mountain zebras at the enclosure.
Advertisement:
“We are thrilled to welcome this foal to our Serengeti Crossing as it’s an exciting first for the Zoo,” said assistant curator Chris Bartos in a statement. “The care team has been observing the foal eagerly nursing and sprinting about the large outdoor spaces behind the scenes.”
The foal is a boy and weighs 69 pounds, zoo officials said.
This particular zebra species is listed as vulnerable due to its susceptibility to drought conditions in its habitats in Angola and South Africa, according to the release.
The foal’s parents arrived at the Franklin Park Zoo in 2020. Another adult mountain zebra in the habitat is named Zoey, the zoo said.
“While the foal adapts to the expansive outdoor habitat and the other species that share it, it’s possible that he may not be seen every day just yet,” the press release reads.
A few more pics of our frisky baby zebra! 😍 pic.twitter.com/hodqipAFUS — Zoo New England (@zoonewengland) April 28, 2024
First yellow-billed stork hatched in February
A yellow-billed stork hatched at the zoo February 19 and is now taking its first few flights.
“Staff first saw it fledge from its nest 30-feet off the ground on Sunday, April 21,” zoo officials said.
This baby is also a first for its parents, who brought food the nest regularly and “attentively tended to the chick.”
Advertisement:
The chick will likely return to the nest, even after taking its first flights, to be fed by its parents for the next several weeks, the zoo said.
“We’re incredibly excited to share the news about this yellow-billed stork chick, who has been growing up quickly and is quite visible in the nest,” said John Linehan, Zoo New England president and CEO.
The bird species is named for its bright yellow bill.
Wattled crane chick hatched before guests’ eyes
A wattled crane chick hatched while being watched by zoo staff and guests April 10 and weighed a mighty 267 grams just over a week later, the zoo said.
“Parents Hansel and Zoolander are dutifully taking turns doting on their new chick, demonstrating how to forage and providing a warm spot to rest under their protective wings,” the press release reads.
This is the parents’ second chick. Despite its small size now, it will grow to be almost 5 feet tall in a few short months, the zoo said.
The species is considered vulnerable due to hunting, loss of wetlands, drought, pesticides, and climate change, according to the zoo.
Fur, feathers and firsts at #FranklinParkZoo: a Hartmann’s mountain #zebra foal, a wattled crane chick and a yellow-billed stork chick. Three very special reasons to visit the zoo this weekend.
Learn what makes these zoo babies so special→ https://t.co/AnbOOIdoOf #zooborns pic.twitter.com/7fqGnJ3HKR — Zoo New England (@zoonewengland) April 26, 2024
