Zebra born at Hattiesburg Zoo doing well, zoo officials say

Hattiesburg Zoo on Sunday welcomed a new member to its family with the birth of a female zebra.

The female foal was born to 3-year-old Samira and 7-year old Bakari. It was Samira's first foal, zoo officials said.

“We have been watching and monitoring Samira, and following her pregnancy quite closely,” said Kristen Moore, Hattiesburg Zoo's director of animal care in a news release. “Both mother and baby are doing well at this time."

The zebras were the only animals on the Africa Veldt on Sunday. Other animals that usually inhabit the area, including the bongos, zebu, ostrich and crane, were kept in the Africa barn with access to an outside yard.

Hattiesburg Zoo is a conservation facility, dedicated to preserving animal species and educating people about the animals and their natural habitats.

The zoo earlier this year entered a partnership agreement with the University of Southern Mississippi to expand its education, conservation and research efforts.