Detroit Zoo Welcomes Brown and White Bundle of Joy
April 28, 2011
Detroit Zoo welcomed a brown and white bundle of joy to its fold on April 17th. After a 13 month gestation period, Jimmy the Grevy's Zebra foal stumbled onto the scene and was up on his feet in just a few hours. Wild Grevy's Zebras must quickly learn to stand and run to escape the potential threat of predators. This endangered East African species is declining in numbers due to habitat loss and competition with livestock.
ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Detroit Zoo visitors looking for a dose of cuteness with their Vitamin Z need look no further than the zebra habitat in the African Grasslands. An endangered male Grevy’s zebra, named Jimmy, was born on April 17, 2011.
“We’re happy to welcome another important little individual to the global conservation program for Grevy’s zebras. He’s a very cute but also very important ambassador for his species, and reminds us that Grevy’s zebras still face significant threats to their survival in East Africa,” said Scott Carter, Detroit Zoological Society Chief Life Sciences Officer.
The Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) is the largest of the three zebra species, with adults weighing between 800 and 1,000 pounds. Zebras are born with brown stripes that turn black as they mature. The striped pattern on each zebra is as unique as a fingerprint; no two are the same.
After a 13-month gestation, a newborn zebra foal can stand on its feet within an hour of birth and can run after only a few hours, giving it a better chance of escaping from predators in the wild.
Jimmy can be seen with his mother, 19-year-old Elvira, along with 10-year-old father Z.Z. and 8-year-old half-sister Zoe in their habitat next to the giraffes.
“We’re happy to welcome another important little individual to the global conservation program for Grevy’s zebras. He’s a very cute but also very important ambassador for his species, and reminds us that Grevy’s zebras still face significant threats to their survival in East Africa,” said Scott Carter, Detroit Zoological Society Chief Life Sciences Officer.
The Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) is the largest of the three zebra species, with adults weighing between 800 and 1,000 pounds. Zebras are born with brown stripes that turn black as they mature. The striped pattern on each zebra is as unique as a fingerprint; no two are the same.
After a 13-month gestation, a newborn zebra foal can stand on its feet within an hour of birth and can run after only a few hours, giving it a better chance of escaping from predators in the wild.
Jimmy can be seen with his mother, 19-year-old Elvira, along with 10-year-old father Z.Z. and 8-year-old half-sister Zoe in their habitat next to the giraffes.