Zoo Contact: Kyle Shepherd
kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov
(O) 502-238-5331 (C) 502-744-5639
The baby boom continues at the Louisville Zoo with the birth of a 19 lb. female addax. The calf was born between 1 and 2 a.m. on August 23, 2024, to 6-year-old Reesie. The father is 6-year-old Winfield. Both mom and calf are doing well and are currently off exhibit as they continue to bond. The calf’s name will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Zoo has had a successful breeding program with addax which are experiencing critical challenges in the vanishing wild. With drastically diminished numbers, some say they are on the verge of imminent extinction.
Louisville Zoo Director Dan Maloney expressed enthusiasm about the Zoo’s mini baby boom emphasizing the significance of these births. “It is important to note these births are all recommended and carefully planned via the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). Aimed at maintaining the genetic diversity of managed animal populations in human care, the SSP contributes to the conservation of various species,” he said. “We look forward to celebrating the arrival of all our newborns at the Zoo with our guests.”
This latest birth brings the total of addax born at the Louisville Zoo to 61. The last calf born at the Zoo was Jira in 2020. Addax have been a part of the Louisville Zoo since it opened in 1969 and with this birth the Zoo is averaging more than an addax birth a year for this critically endangered species.
Updates on when the public can view the calf will be communicated via the Zoo’s social channels and official website.
About Addax:
In 2016, field researchers estimated that less than 100 individuals remain in the vanishing wild. The addax is found in arid regions of Africa, within isolated pockets of the Sahara Desert. They live in small groups of five to 15 animals that are led by a mature male. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species categorizes the addax as critically endangered. Their main challenges include drought, hunting and expansion of pastureland.
Zoo Hours:
The Zoo is open daily year-round. Hours through September 22 are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (guests can stay until 6 p.m.). The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Visit louisvillezoo.org for more info.
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About the Louisville Zoo:
The Louisville Zoo, the State Zoo of Kentucky, is the top, non-profit, paid attraction in the state. The Zoo 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 Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
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