In the very early hours of Christmas eve morning, Auckland Zoo had a special stripy delivery - a beautiful zebra foal!
Born to seven-year-old female zebra Layla, this is the 43rd zebra foal born at Auckland Zoo. The last zebra foal was born in 2010 – a Plains zebra – male Unyazi on 21 September 2010.
Yet to be named by our Auckland Zoo whānau, our young female is progressing well, developing good body condition, and has recently began eating solids.
She has been exploring the Pridelands paddock and getting to know her habitat mates – especially giraffe calf Kabili.
Watch this video of ungulates keeper Ben introduces us to her, as she begins to explore and test her environment.
Auckland Zoo now has five zebra (plain zebra species): as part of Australasian regional breeding programme. Female Itika (26 years old); Male Carlo (11 years old); Female sisters Layla (7) and Dalila (5) and now our new foal.
We need your help to name our gorgeous zebra foal!
To vote: our ungulates team have picked out the following Swahili names – pick the name you think suits our foal best and let us know in the comments of the video on YouTube!
- Binti – daughter
- Zawadi – gift
- Eve – after her birthday on Christmas Eve
Voting closes this Sunday at 11pm and we’ll be announcing the chosen name 10am Monday 21 January – so make sure to have your say today.
