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The Range: The Tucson Weekly's Daily Dispatch

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Thursday, September 13, 2012

Fun in General An Excess of Adorable at the Reid Park Zoo

Posted by Mariana Dale on Thu, Sep 13, 2012 at 5:30 PM

Reid Park Zoo

The Internet is inundated by adorable animal photos, but Reid Park's newest additions can compete with the cutest of them. Reid Park Zoo welcomed a newborn Grevy's zebra on August 31. He went on display for the first time September 12 and is looking for a name!

Mom and baby spent several days behind-the-scenes under careful observation. The young zebra had a low birth weight, but he is now nursing, gaining weight, and ready to explore the larger habitat. Zoo staff and Veterinarian will continue to keep a close eye on this first time mom and her offspring for the next several critical months as he gains strength.

He will be on exhibit this morning for an undetermined length of time, and may return to his behind-the-scenes area in the afternoon, or whenever Zoo Keepers feel he needs additional rest.

The Grevy's zebra, Equus grevyi, is an endangered species with as few as 2,500 remaining in the wild. Reid Park Zoo is an active participant in the Species Survival Plan, which works to protect this species through captive breeding and education programs. Over 35 US zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) participate in the joint conservation efforts of the Species Survival Plan.

For more information, visit the zoo's website at tucsonzoo.org, or call 791-4022. For more pics check out their Facebook page here.

Tags: baby zebra, Reid Park Zoo, awww, adorable, cute animals, baby animals, please do not attempt to take the baby zebras home