Rare species animals born for the first time at Franklin Park Zoo

Three new animals have been born at the Franklin Park Zoo in recent months, including a zebra, a stork and a crane.

Two of these 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 to the future success of each species and are a testament to the zoo’s expert care,” Zoo New England said in a statement Press. April 26. “And hearing the guests rave, it’s clear that they’re also a visitor highlight!”

Hartmann’s first mountain zebra born at 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 “early morning hours” of April 24, according to the press release. This is the first foal born to two other Hartmann’s mountain zebras aged 5 and 6 years old in the enclosure.

“We are thrilled to welcome this foal to our Serengeti Crossing as it is an exciting first for the zoo,” Assistant Curator Chris Bartos said in a statement. “The care team watched the foal eagerly nurse and run in the great outdoors behind the scenes. »

The foal is a boy and weighs 69 pounds, zoo officials said.

This particular species of zebra is classified as vulnerable due to its sensitivity 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 its habitat is named Zoey, the zoo said.

“Although the foal is adapting to the large outdoor habitat and other species that share it, it may not yet be seen every day,” the press release states.

The first yellow-billed stork was born in February

A yellow-billed stork hatched at the zoo on February 19 and is currently making its first flights.

“Staff first saw him fly from his nest 30 feet above the ground on Sunday, April 21,” zoo officials said.

This baby is also a first for its parents, who regularly brought food to the nest and “carefully looked after the chick”.

The chick will likely return to the nest, even after making its first flights, to be fed by its parents for the next few weeks, the zoo said.

“We are extremely excited to share the news about this yellow-billed stork chick, which has grown quickly and is clearly visible in the nest,” said John Linehan, president and CEO of Zoo New England.

The bird species gets its name from its bright yellow beak.

A wattled crane chick hatched before the eyes of guests

A wattled crane chick was born under the watch of zoo staff and guests on April 10 and weighed 267 grams just over a week later, the zoo said.

“Parents Hansel and Zoolander take turns doting on their new chick, showing them how to feed and providing them with a warm place to rest under their protective wings,” the press release states.

This is the second chick of the parents. Despite its current small size, it will reach nearly 5 feet tall in a few months, the zoo said.

The species is considered vulnerable due to hunting, wetland loss, drought, pesticides and climate change, according to the zoo.