Zebra Foal born at Louisville Zoo

For the first time in 13 years the Louisville Zoo celebrated the birth of a female Hartmann’s mountain zebra foal. Born to Morena and Gibbs, the 72 lb. foal was birthed on January 18, 2013 at 2:45 a.m. The female foal took her first steps by 3:15 a.m. and was nursing by 3:17 a.m. Mother Morena and her foal are doing well. The foal is expected to be on exhibit for the public in the coming weeks pending weather.

Floyd Memorial Birthing Center will sponsor a naming contest in the spring with details to be announced later.

Hartmann’s mountain zebras are listed as a vulnerable species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The zebra birth was planned and is a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). Breeding plans work to improve the genetic diversity of managed animal populations.

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The Louisville Zoo, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Association of Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

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