A zebra from Tucson’s Reid Park Zoo gave birth to a healthy female foal on Dec. 25. The foal is a Grevy’s zebra and will be monitored by staff in the following weeks.
“The foal is very steady on her feet and has been busy exploring her new home at mom’s side,” Adam Ramsey, director of animal care, said in a statement on the zoo's website.
The foal is the third baby for Reid Park zebras Anna and Ben.
Zoo spokesperson Chelo Grubb pointed out the significance of a Grevy’s zebra birth.
"They’re an incredibly endangered species so there are several species of zebra in Africa but the Grevy’s zebra is the most endangered, so every birth is a huge success for their species and their species survival plan within zoos," said Grubb.
According to the zoo, there remain fewer than 2,000 Grevy’s zebras in Africa.
The baby zebra is not named, but officials will host a contest to select a name for the newborn animal.
