A rare and endangered Malayan tapir calf was born at the Point Defiance Zoo on Sunday, February 2, marking only the second tapir birth in its 120-year history.

The newborn, covered in distinctive white spots and stripes that resemble a tiny, walking watermelon, is considered healthy. Mother Yuna, 10, is also doing well, according to Head Veterinarian Dr. Karen Wolf. The calf’s father, Baku, is also 10 years old.

The calf will remain behind the scenes in the Asian Forest Sanctuary, nursing and bonding with Yuna under the observation of the zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams. The calf will receive a veterinary checkup after allowing time for the newborn and Yuna to bond. Officials estimate the newborn to weigh around 20 pounds—a stark contrast to its mom, who almost weighs 900 pounds, and dad, around 800 pounds.

Valencia, February 26, 2025. - Births are always a reason for joy, especially when it comes to species at risk of extinction in the very short term, where every individual is valuable to prevent a tragic end. BIOPARC Valencia has just witnessed this wonderful moment with the anticipated birth of the chimpanzee Eva. The park’s technical team was on alert to apply necessary protocols, and due to the worrying evolution, in coordination with the European program for the preservation of this species, it was essential to intervene to prevent the newborn’s death. Specialists in primate welfare and ethology began a complicated operation to feed the baby with bottles while maintaining contact with the family group.

A trio of rare Northern African lion cubs have been born at Whipsnade Zoo, marking a huge conservation success for the vulnerable sub-species.  

Born to three-year-old lioness Winta, and three-year-old dad Malik, the litter of three arrived on 25 November 2024. 

Footage captured by the conservation Zoo’s ‘cub cam’ CCTV shows attentive mum Winta being  tender with her tiny newborns, carefully cleaning and nuzzling them. Keepers were happy to see the three cubs quickly get the hang of suckling, and the tiny trio have spent their first few weeks mostly eating and snoozing.  

Marwell Wildlife is celebrating the birth of a rare okapi calf, marking a significant milestone for the conservation of this endangered species.

The calf’s mother Niari was herself born at Marwell five years ago to Daphne and Jabari. This marks an incredible third-generation success, highlighting the zoo’s expertise in breeding and caring for okapi.

The species, often referred to as the ‘forest giraffe’ is native to the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo and faces increasing threats from habitat loss, poaching and illegal mining, with fewer than 10,000 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.

Schönbrunn Zoo recently had a special offspring: On November 18, a two-toed sloth was born. This is the 14th offspring for the pair of sloths that can be found in the aviary. "We are very happy about this offspring. Sloths are among the most fascinating and at the same time most comfortable animals that delight our visitors," explains zoo director Dr. Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck. The sloth mother looks after her young one lovingly, which is nursed for around six months. But milk is not the only thing on the menu: the young animal is already nibbling on vegetables such as celery or lettuce from time to time. Initially well hidden in the mother's soft belly fur, the offspring are now so big that they can be easily observed with the necessary patience.

Schönbrunn Zoo recently had a special offspring: On November 18, a two-toed sloth was born. This is the 14th offspring for the pair of sloths that can be found in the aviary. "We are very happy about this offspring. Sloths are among the most fascinating and at the same time most comfortable animals that delight our visitors," explains zoo director Dr. Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck. The sloth mother looks after her young one lovingly, which is nursed for around six months. But milk is not the only thing on the menu: the young animal is already nibbling on vegetables such as celery or lettuce from time to time. Initially well hidden in the mother's soft belly fur, the offspring are now so big that they can be easily observed with the necessary patience.

A precious new joey at Healesville Sanctuary has keepers jumping for joy, with a blue-eyed Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo making its pouch premiere. 

The youngster is a male, approximately six months old, and is now peeping out to see the world for the first time. 

It’s the fourth offspring for experience parents, mum Mani [Pron: Mah-knee] and dad Bagam [Pron: Bag-am] who are part of an international breeding program for the endangered species. 

ROYAL OAK, Mich. (Aug. 26, 2024) — The Detroit Zoo announced today that the baby gorilla born on Aug. 8, 2024 – the first in the Zoo’s 96-year-history – is a female and continuing to thrive under the care of her mother, Bandia.  

Now, the next step is giving this baby girl a name – and the public has the opportunity to do just that! 

Beginning Monday, Aug. 26, Zoo lovers can cast their vote by choosing their favorite name amongst the following finalists:  

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (August 20, 2024) – The Louisville Zoo has welcomed a 1 ½-month-old infant male western lowland gorilla named Abeo (ah-bay-OH) to our award-winning Gorilla Forest habitat. His name means “bringer of happiness” in Yoruba, a language spoken in West Africa. Born on June 28 at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington., the infant is the offspring of Akenji, a first-time mom. When Akenji was unable to bond with her infant and when training another foster didn’t progress fast enough, Woodland Park officials moved into quick action to find suitable care for the infant gorilla.

POWELL, OH — Just over a year after welcoming weedy seadragons to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Australia and the Islands region, an attentive weedy seadragon father—with the support of the Zoo’s Shores & Aquarium team who provides care for this species—successfully hatched 26 weedy seadragons (or “weedies”). This milestone places the Columbus Zoo among only several other North American zoos and aquariums that have marked this significant achievement.