Visitors Watch Blesbok Give Birth
September 24, 2016
Visitors to Spain’s BIOPARC Valencia on September 20 got a big surprise when a Blesbok gave birth to a calf in its zoo habitat.
Zoo guests watched the entire natural birthing process as the female Blesbok paced during her labor, then lay down to deliver the calf.
Photo Credit: BIOPARC Valencia
The little calf was alert from the moment it was delivered and positioned itself perfectly so mom could clean it off. After a few unsuccessful attempts, the calf finally stood on wobbly legs. The whole process was over in just a few minutes.
Because the delivery went smoothly, zoo staff members saw no need to intervene or assist with the birth.
In nature, these antelope live on South Africa’s grassy plains. A prolonged labor and delivery could leave the mother open to predation by lions or hyenas. The same is true for a newborn Blesbok calf – it must be able to walk and follow its mother within a few minutes of birth or be targeted by a predator.
Blesbok nearly became extinct about 150 years ago due to overhunting. New hunting regulations allowed Blesbok numbers to increase, and the species is no longer threatened with extinction.