Mother Imogen gave birth to the female foal in the early hours of Friday, October 12 at the Wild Explorers exhibit.
Keepers say both mother and the yet-to-be-named foal are doing very well. The latest arrival takes the total number of Grevy’s zebra at the zoo to eight and is the first foal to be sired by resident stallion Fonzy.
Ian Goodwin, Animal Collection Manager for Hoofstock, said:
Imogen is looking after her foal very well. It’s great to watch her exploring her new surroundings at Wild Explorers, where we highlight the conservation work we carry out in Africa.
Our new arrival is a very important and welcome addition to the endangered species breeding programme.
In the late 1970s there were 15,000 Grevy’s zebra in the wild. Today there are estimated to be around 2,800 remaining.
The Grevy’s zebra has suffered one of the most drastic population declines of any African mammal due to climate change, habitat loss and competition with increasing livestock numbers.
Ian added:
Since 2003, Marwell Wildlife has been working with partners in northern Kenya to conserve Grevy’s zebra. We employ a team of conservation biologists and scouts who work in the field and they have been instrumental in helping to create a national conservation strategy for the species.
Marwell also manages the International Studbook and the European Ex situ Programme (EEP) for Grevy’s zebra.
Grevy’s zebra- fast facts
· They are the largest of all the wild equids (horses, asses and zebras.)
· Following birth, grevy’s zebra foals can stand within just one hour!
· Today, Grevy’s zebra are only found in the semi-arid bush land of Ethiopia and northern Kenya, and are specially adapted to these harsh conditions. They only need to drink every two to five days.
This half term…
Visit Marwell Zoo this October half term for some frightful fun as its enchanting Halloween event returns.
Included in the price of admission, Boo at the Zoo offers a programme of exciting activities from October 20 until October 28.
Marwell Hall will become a magical Haunted Hall where Esme the spooky witch will welcome little guests into her unique Halloween grotto for interactive storytelling sessions at 11am, 1pm and 3pm daily.
Meanwhile take part in creepy craft drop-in sessions from 10.30am until 3.30pm (£1 fee applies) where visitors can create their very own wands.
Marwell’s resident wizard will put trainee flyers through their paces to earn their Level 3 Broomstick Licence. The sessions last 20 minutes and take place each day in the ‘flying arena’ on the front lawn outside the Haunted Hall on a first come first served basis at 10.40am, 11.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2.15pm, 3.20pm and 3.45pm.
Finally, Marwell is asking little pumpkins, skeletons, witches or wizards to dress up in their scariest Halloween costume for the chance to win a spooky cuddly toy from the gift shop.
To find out more about Marwell or its events, visit: www.marwell.org.uk
Marwell Zoo, home to more than 140 species, is owned by Marwell Wildlife, a global conservation charity leading programmes in the UK, Africa and across the world. The charity engages with over 400,000 children and young people through conservation educational programmes and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors each year to its 140 acre site.
Photo Credit Jason Brown
