The folks over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are seeing stripes today! The park has just announced the birth of a Hartmann’s zebra foal.
On Jan. 21, the yet-to-be-named Hartmann’s zebra foal was born to mom Prima under the care of the West Savanna team. This moment marks a milestone for the park as it is the first time this vulnerable zebra species has been born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Weighing in at about 65 pounds, the foal was standing and walking within 30 minutes of birth.
This little one is doing well and bonding backstage with his mom. Much of the time, he is nursing, napping and starting to play and explore his mom’s hay. When he’s ready, he will be introduced in stages to the other zebras and then join the herd as they go out onto the savanna.
These zebra births mark another success for Disney’s animal care experts and the Species Survival Plan, a program through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that helps ensure a diverse, healthy population of threatened and endangered species.