Birth of a Kudu: Maryland Zoo announces antelope addition

Baltimore, MD (WHTM) The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore has announced the birth of a baby antelope.

A male lesser kudu calf ( Tragelaphus imberbis ) was born on July 1st. He’s the offspring of Zahi, a two and a half year-old male, and Meringue, an eleven and a half year-old female. The parents were recommended to breed as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan.

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The calf is named Mandazi (MAN-dah-zee) after a type of fried bread that is a staple of Swahili cuisine.

“We’ve had lesser kudu at the Zoo for many years and are excited to welcome Mandazi to the herd,” said Erin Cantwell Grimm, Mammal Curator at the Maryland Zoo.

Lesser Kudu are one of eight species of African spiral-horned antelope and are listed as “near threatened” as a result of hunting and human disruption of their habitat. They live in dry, densely thicketed scrub and woodlands in East Africa. Females mostly live in groups of two or three (plus offspring). Adult males, called bulls, are generally solitary.

Lesser kudu have no fixed breeding season, so births can happen any time of the year. Pregnancy lasts 7 to 8 months and usually results in the birth of a single calf. A female will leave her group to give birth and will keep her calf separated from the group for about the first month of life. The calf then begins to accompany its mother for longer and longer periods, and is with its mother almost continuously by 3-4 months.

You can find the Maryland Zoo’s kudus at their African Journey Boardwalk .  Mandazi is still living behind the scenes, bonding with its mother, but may come out to meet the public as early as next week.

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