Second Zebra Foal for Taronga Western Plains Zoo
August 15, 2016
Keepers at Taronga Western Plains Zoo are excited by the arrival of their second Zebra foal in the past month. The female foal, which was born in the early hours of July 30, has been named Zina (free spirit in Swahili).
Zina is the fifth foal for experienced mother, Kijani. “Both mother and foal are doing really well, which is to be expected from an experienced mother like Kijani,” said Keeper, Carolene Magner.
Photo Credits: Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Zina, out on exhibit with her mother and the rest of the herd, is very calm and taking everything in her stride.
“Zina is staying close by her mother’s side at present but does enjoy a gallop around the paddock in the morning. Zina is a large foal in comparison to Khari, who was born a month ago, they are relatively the same size.”
“It is great to see the herd continuing to grow, and as the two foals get older, they will start to interact more together,” said Carolene.
There are now three generations of Plains Zebra on exhibit at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, with more foals expected later this year. This most recent arrival brings the total number in the breeding herd to nine.
The Plains Zebra (Equus quagga, formerly Equus burchellii), also known as the Common Zebra or Burchell's Zebra, is the most common and geographically widespread species of Zebra. It ranges from the south of Ethiopia through East Africa to as far south as Botswana and eastern South Africa.
The Plains Zebra remains common in game reserves, but is threatened by human activities such as hunting for its meat and hide, as well as competition with livestock and encroachment by farming on much of its habitat. The species is classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.