Category Archives: Baby Animals

Endangered Grevy’s Zebra Born at Lincoln Park Zoo

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Baby Grevy's zebra

A baby Grevy’s zebra was born on June 22 at Lincoln Park Zoo! Photo by Lincoln Park Zoo.

A baby Grevy’s zebra was born on June 22 at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago! The newborn foal and her mama, Adia, are doing well and are being monitored by the zoo’s Animal Care and veterinary staff.

The foal is Adia’s sixth offspring. She will live with Adia, two-year-old sister Yabelo, and adult female Delrie. While the foal was able to run just an hour after birth, she will remain dependent on her mother for the first seven months.

Zebra foal and mother

The zebra foal will be dependent on her mother, Adia, for the first seven months. Photo by Lincoln Park Zoo.

The baby zebra has reddish-brown stripes that will only turn black once she is older. She weighed about 45 kg (100 lb.) at birth and will grow to be around 385 kg (850 lb.) as an adult.

In the wild, Grevy’s zebras inhabit Ethiopia and Kenya. They are an endangered species, with only around 2000 wild Grevy’s zebras alive today.

According to Curator Dan Boehm, “We’re proud to play a part in conserving the Grevy’s zebra population through important births like this one.”

Baby Grevy's zebra in shade

Grevy’s zebras are listed as endangered by the IUCN Redlist. There are only around 2000 Grevy’s zebra in the wild. Photo by Lincoln Park Zoo.

Baby Grevy's zebra

Photo by Lincoln Park Zoo.

To learn more about the newborn zebra, visit the Lincoln Park Zoo website.

For more information about zebras, see our article, Plains Zebra.

50th Bison Calf Born at Oakland Zoo!

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Bison calf at Oakland Zoo

Oakland Zoo welcomed the fourth bison calf of the season in June! The birth also marked a major milestone: the 50th bison calf born since the start of a program in 2016 to restore bison back to the wild. Photo by Oakland Zoo.

Oakland Zoo welcomed an adorable baby bison earlier this month! Affectionately called a “red dog”, the calf sports a reddish-brown coat and is very playful.

This was the zoo’s fourth bison calf birth this season and the 50th bison birth since the start of Oakland Zoo’s partnership with Blackfeet Nation and Indigenous LED in 2016. The goal of the program is to restore bison to free-ranging herds roaming Blackfeet Territory and Glacier National Park in Montana.

Bison calf stretching.

Affectionately called “red dogs”, bison calves sport a reddish-brown coat when they’re born, and they’re very playful. Photo by Oakland Zoo.

In May, the program transported five zoo-born bison by trailer to a free-ranging herd in Montana. The additions to the herd will promote genetic diversity and will help bolster the population of bison in the wild.

Trailer carrying bison

The program transported five zoo-born bison by trailer in May to their natural habitat in Montana to join a free-ranging herd. Photo by Oakland Zoo.

In the early 1900s, American bison (also known as buffalo) nearly went extinct due to the surge of settlers moving west. Currently, bison numbers are improving but the populations still lack genetic diversity. The partnership of Oakland Zoo, Blackfeet Nation, and Indigenous LED aims to address that issue with captive breeding.

“With the birth of its 50th calf, the Oakland Zoo is helping bring home far more than buffalo to the Blackfeet Nation. Together, we are restoring threads that were once severed—between people and place, culture and identity, memory and future—showing what becomes possible when restoration is rooted in relationship,” says Cristina Mormorunni, Executive Director of Indigenous LED.

Bison calf and mama

Bison calf and mama. Photo by Oakland Zoo.

Sleepy bison calf

The bison calf will eventually join a free-ranging herd in Montana. Photo by Oakland Zoo.

To learn more about the bison restoration project, see the Oakland Zoo website and the Indigenous LED website.

For more information about bison, see our article, American Bison.

VIDEO: Baby Bactrian Camel at Toronto Zoo

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A baby Bactrian camel was born on April 29 at Toronto Zoo! After just two hours, with some encouragement from his mother Suria, the little calf stood on his own.

This camel calf is the third offspring of mother Suria and father Zip. His coloring is similar to his father’s, with a very white-blond coat.

Watch a video of the adorable baby camel and his mama here:

Learn more at the Toronto Zoo website.

Vulture Chick Hatches at Lincoln Park Zoo

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A cinereous vulture chick curled in a towel

A cinereous vulture chick was born at Lincoln Park Zoo in May! It was the first successful cinereous vulture birth in 13 years at the zoo. Photo by Lincoln Park Zoo.

Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago welcomed a cinereous vulture chick on May 7. It was the first successful cinereous vulture birth in 13 years at the zoo!

The baby vulture was born to parents Virginia and Leon. However, because Virginia and Leon are inexperienced parents who have not incubated an egg in the past, the Animal Care team put the egg in an incubator after it was laid.

Two cinereous vultures

Parents Virginia and Leon. Photo by Lincoln Park Zoo

The Animal Care team then monitored the egg through a process called candling. This means they shined a light on the egg in a dark place so they could see inside. They also took radiographs of the egg to ensure the chick was ready for hatching.

The chick is currently being cared for by Animal Care staff. Later, the chick will be raised by an experienced foster vulture at a different zoo.

Cinereous vulture chick in a towel

The cinereous vulture chick is currently being cared for by the Animal Care team at the zoo. Photo by Lincoln Park Zoo.

“While we’d love for Chicagoans to meet this vulture chick, we’re grateful to have a dedicated zoo community and the opportunity for this chick to be raised by fosters,” said Hope B. McCormick Curator of Birds Nicole Finch-Mason.

In the wild, cinereous vultures live in Europe and Asia. They can weigh up to 12 kg (27 lb.) with a wingspan up to 10 feet. This makes them one of the heaviest and largest birds of prey in the world!

Cinereous vulture

Cinereous vultures are one of the heaviest and largest birds of prey in the world! Photo by Lincoln Park Zoo.

They are classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, threatened by poisons and food scarcity.

Learn more at the Lincoln Park Zoo website.

Clip-Clop Hooray! Baby Elands Born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

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Baby eland at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Six baby eland were born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, Australia. Photo by Greg Gawthorne / Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, Australia is hearing the pitter-pattering of little hooves! The zoo welcomed six eland calves recently.

“Eland are a very special species for us here in Dubbo where we’ve welcomed over 150 eland calves since 1976, which is a pretty awesome achievement,” Keeper Ruby Cullen said.

Eland calf in the shade at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

A female eland calf in the shade at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Photo by Greg Gawthorne / Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Female eland calf

One hundred fifty eland calves have been born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo since 1976! Photo by Greg Gawthorne / Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Common elands are the second largest antelope species in the world. Native to east and southern Africa, elands have long spirally horns. The name “eland” means elk or moose in Afrikaans.

Though not considered endangered, common elands are threatened by habitat loss and poaching in their native habitat.

Learn more at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo website.

VIDEO: Baby Masai Giraffe Born at Toronto Zoo

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Imara, a Masai giraffe calf was born on February 22, 2026 at Toronto Zoo.

Imara, a Masai giraffe calf, was born on February 22, 2026 at Toronto Zoo. Photo credit: Toronto Zoo.

In February, the Toronto Zoo in Canada welcomed a baby who is most likely taller than you! Standing at 1.95 m (6 ft. 4 in.) a half hour after being born, the newborn Masai giraffe calf was a very happy (and very tall) addition to the zoo.

Like all giraffes, the female calf, named Imara, had a very long drop to the ground when she was born–about 2 m (6 ft.)! Watch a video of her birth here:

Imari and her mom, Mstari, are doing well and are being supervised by zoo staff.

According to Dolf DeJong, CEO, Your Toronto Zoo, “We announced Mstari’s pregnancy on Mother’s Day last year and after a 15-month pregnancy we are thrilled to have a healthy calf in our care, raising the profile of endangered Masai giraffes and inspiring our community to learn more and stand with us as Guardians of Wild.”

Imara, new baby giraffe at Toronto Zoo, with mother.

Both Imara and her mother, Mstari, are doing well. Photo credit: Toronto Zoo.

Fewer than 35,000 Masai giraffes survive in the wild, having experienced more than a 50% decline in the past 30 years. They are considered endangered by the IUCN, threatened by illegal hunting and habitat loss.

Toronto Zoo supports conservation efforts of Masai giraffes through its breeding programs and by supporting Wild Nature Institute’s Masai Giraffe Project. Learn more at Toronto Zoo’s website.

For more information about giraffes, see our article, Giraffe.

Oakland Zoo Cares for Rescued Mountain Lion Kitten

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Crimson, an orphaned three-week-old mountain lion kitten, is under the care of Oakland Zoo Veterinary Hospital

Crimson, an orphaned three-week-old mountain lion kitten, is under the care of Oakland Zoo Veterinary Hospital. Photo credit: Oakland Zoo.

Oakland Zoo took in a three-week-old mountain lion kitten, who was orphaned in southern California.

The baby mountain lion (or cougar), is named Crimson. Oakland Zoo Hospital staff is bottle-feeding him every three hours. He came into the zoo’s care with missing toes on his foot, so the animal care team is monitoring him to make sure he’s using his leg and foot properly.

Crimson is being bottle-fed by Oakland Zoo animal care staff every three hours

Crimson is being bottle-fed by Oakland Zoo animal care staff every three hours. Photo credit: Oakland Zoo.

In the wild, mountain lion cubs need about 12-18 months with their mother to learn essential survival skills. Because Crimson is so young, he lacks the skills necessary to survive in the wild.

After he rehabilitates at the Veterinary Hospital, the zoo hopes to introduce Crimson to Clover, the female cub rescued by Oakland Zoo earlier this year. Mountain lion kittens tend to thrive with a companion. The zoo has used this strategy successfully with other rescues.

Cougar cub biting toy

When Crimson successfully rehabilitates, he will be introduced to Clover, another rescued mountain lion cub being cared for by Oakland Zoo. Photo credit: Oakland Zoo.

Three-week-old cougar cub

Crimson is doing well, but he is at a delicate stage, and veterinary staff will monitor him closely as he grows. Photo credit: Oakland Zoo.

If you would like to support Oakland Zoo and their mountain lion rescue efforts, you can donate at their website.

To learn more about mountain lions, see our article: Cougar.

Critically Endangered Rhino Born at Lincoln Park Zoo

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A rare female eastern black rhinoceros calf was born in March at Lincoln Park Zoo.

A rare female eastern black rhinoceros calf was born in March at Lincoln Park Zoo. Photo by Cassy Kutilek / Lincoln Park Zoo.

Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago welcomed a baby eastern black rhinoceros in March! This is especially happy news because eastern black rhinos are critically endangered, and every birth helps bolster their population.

The female calf weighed around 27 kg (60 lb.) at birth and took her first steps just an hour and a half after being born! She and her mother, Kapuki, are being monitored by zoo staff.

Mom and calf are doing very well and are being monitored by zoo staff.

Mom and calf are doing very well and are being monitored by zoo staff. Photo by Cassy Kutilek / Lincoln Park Zoo.

According to Curator Cassy Kutilek, “Mom and calf are doing well and continue to hit their postpartum milestones, and we’re excited for when we’ll start seeing glimmers of the newborn’s personality.”

In the wild, the eastern black rhino population dropped 98% between 1960-1995 due to poaching. Due to conservation efforts, there are now around 1,000 mature individuals in the wild.

One Month Update

The calf, named Hazina, made her public debut on April 29!

One month old black rhino calf

At one month old, Hazina made her public debut in April! Photo by Lincoln Park Zoo.

Hazina and her mom: black rhinos

Although hesitant at first, Hazina has been exploring the outdoors with her mother, Kapuki. Photo by Lincoln Park Zoo.

If you would like to support Lincoln Park Zoo and celebrate the rare rhino birth, you can adopt a plush rhino at the Lincoln Park Zoo website.

Baby Red-tailed Monkey at Oakland Zoo

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A baby red-tailed monkey was born to mother, Nonami, at the Oakland Zoo in February.

A baby red-tailed monkey was born to mother, Nonami, at the Oakland Zoo in February. Photo by Oakland Zoo.

Oakland Zoo in California welcomed a baby guenon red-tailed monkey in February! Born to mother, Nonami, and father, Marley, the male baby guenon is currently thriving under his mother’s care.

His birth marked a milestone at the zoo: the very first guenon monkey birth at Oakland Zoo!

Newborn red-tailed guenon monkey at Oakland Zoo.

The newborn, a male, is currently thriving under the care of his mother, as well as his sister, Ikea. Photo by Oakland Zoo.

Nonami has also successfully given birth at her previous zoo to two females who now live at Oakland Zoo: Ikea and Skittles.

Nonami and her new baby have joined the rest of the troop in their habitat, and the baby’s sister, Ikea, has shown strong interest in her brother and wants to help Mom with grooming while Nonami supervises.

Red-tailed monkey baby at Oakland Zoo.

Photo by Oakland Zoo.

In the wild, red-tailed monkeys live in central Africa. They are very social and live in troops of 7-30 members.

For more information, see the Oakland Zoo website.