OKC Zoo received an early holiday delivery! A female Plains zebra foal born November 18 is now on public view at Expedition Africa.
The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is celebrating the recent birth of a female Plains zebra born at the Zoo’s zebra habitat in Expedition Africa.
The new zebra was born overnight on Monday, November 18 to mom, Nebula. Caretakers had been monitoring Nebula’s pregnancy and anticipated her to give birth in December.
“We have been planning for this arrival for next month so imagine our surprise when we came in on Tuesday morning to discover that Nebula had given birth overnight. It was a wonderful surprise!” said Bill Smith, OKC Zoo’s curator of ungulates.
“First thing Tuesday morning, we worked to get Nebula and her foal inside the zebra barn for a visual exam and give mom and baby some quiet time together.”
Both Nebula and her foal, who has not been named yet, are doing great and appear to be in good health. According to caretakers the new zebra is nursing regularly and keeping close to mom which are positive indications they are bonding. They also share that the little zebra is active and curious about her surroundings and enjoys the occasional nap! This birth brings the Zoo’s zebra herd to five individuals including the foal’s dad, Mars, as well as another adult female and her offspring. Guests can see the Zoo’s newest addition and her mom at their habitat located along Predator Pass in Expedition Africa, weather permitting. Expedition Africa, presented by Inasmuch Foundation, is the OKC Zoo’s most recent and largest expansion to date, providing vast and enriching habitat space for the Zoo’s African species including giraffe, hyena, African painted dogs, wildebeest, honey badgers, and more.
“We are so happy to welcome this addition to our herd and our animal family,” added Smith. “We look forward to watching her grow and in time contribute to the diversity and sustainability of the zebra population in human care by having her own foals.”
With their distinctive striped coats, Zebras are one of Africa’s most iconic animals. These social animals live in large herds ranging across Africa’s scrublands and savannas. Zebras are grazers and play an important role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. Their constant grazing helps prevent the overgrowth of certain plants, which leads to more biodiversity. All zebras have black coats with unique white stripe patterns, like fingerprints.
Plains zebras are the smallest and most common of the three species of zebra. Though wild populations of Plains zebras have declined due to loss of habitat, they are listed as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The Oklahoma City Zoo’s daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4 p.m. The Zoo will be closed to the public during the daytime on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day as well as Tuesdays and Wednesdays from December 3 through February 5, 2025. Purchase advance Zoo admission tickets at okczoo.org/tickets and avoid the entry lines. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Regular daytime admission is $16 for adults and $13 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free.
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