Brookfield Zoo Chicago welcomes Grevy’s zebra foal

BROOKFIELD, Ill. — The Brookfield Zoo Chicago welcomed one of its newest residents over the weekend.

According to zoo officials, a male Grevy’s zebra foal was born in the early evening hours on Saturday.

The foal, who has not yet been given a name, entered the world weighing just under 75 pounds and officials said he is now thriving under the care of his 8-year-old mother, Nyota.

“We are overjoyed to welcome this new Grevy’s zebra foal,” Joan Daniels, associate vice president of animal care and conservation said. “Each birth is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our animal care team and our commitment to the conservation of endangered species.”

The foal’s parents Nyota and 6-year-old Diesel, were paired at the recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’s (AZA) Grevy’s Zebra Species Survival Plan (SSP), which works to maintain a genetically diverse and demographically stable population.

Another foal will soon join as Mypa, a 14-year-old Grevy’s zebra who is also housed at the zoo, is set to give birth to her foal this summer.

“The arrival of this foal and a second zebra birth expected soon, demonstrates the success of the Grevy’s Zebra Species Survival Plan. It is crucial that we continue these efforts to ensure a genetically diverse and sustainable population,” Daniels said.

The foal is just one of 142 Grevy’s zebras scattered around 32 accredited North American zoos.

According to zoo officials, the average gestation period for Grevy’s zebras is just over 400 days.

Only 15 minutes after birth, a Grevy’s zebra foal is able to walk and within an hour, they are able to run.

The foal was born with a wooly coat of light chocolate or russet stripes that will eventually transition to a pattern of short hair and black stripes after about five months.

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