Category Archives: Endangered Species

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.

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.

Emperor Penguins Now Considered Endangered

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Emperor penguin sliding on ice.

Emperor penguins are now considered endangered by the IUCN Red List. They are threatened by the loss of sea ice. Photo by Michel VIARD / iStock.com.

According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), emperor penguins are now considered an endangered species. They were previously classified as Near Threatened.

The cause of this decline is the rapid loss of sea ice due to global warming.

If changes in sea ice continue along the current trajectory, the emperor penguin population will decrease to half its size by the 2080s. From 2009 to 2018, the emperor penguin population decreased by 10%, or 20,000 penguins, based on satellite imagery.

Emperor penguins rely on sea ice for breeding grounds. It is a vital habitat for chicks before they get their waterproof feathers. When the sea ice breaks up early, many chicks die.

Emperor penguins

Emperor penguins rely on sea ice for their breeding grounds. If the sea ice breaks up early, it can have deadly effects. Photo by vladsilver / iStock.com.

According to Dr. Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General, “These important findings should spur us into action across all sectors and levels of society to decisively address climate change.”

What You Can Do to Help

If you would like to stop global warming, here are a few things you can do:

  1. Write a letter or draw a picture, and send it to your government representative, asking them to do something to about climate change.
  2. Reduce your carbon emissions by walking, biking or taking public transportation instead of driving.
  3. Use energy saver appliances and light bulbs.
  4. Buy locally grown produce.
  5. Don’t buy as much new stuff. Reuse things or buy used things.

For more information, see the IUCN website.

To learn more about emperor penguins, see our article: Emperor Penguin.

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.

Lincoln Park Zoo Welcomes a New Red Panda this Chinese New Year

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Red panda Qi at Lincoln Park Zoo

Meet Qi, the newest red panda resident at Lincoln Park Zoo! Photo by Allycia Darst / Lincoln Park Zoo.

Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago welcomed a 7-year-old red panda named Qi. He was previously at New York’s Prospect Park Zoo and was recommended as a mate for Nisha, another red panda at Lincoln Park Zoo.

“Red pandas are an endangered species, so the potential for cubs from Nisha and Qi is particularly exciting,” said Curator Cassy Kutilek.

“In the meantime, it’s been fun for staff to get to know Qi’s personality, and we’re glad to share that he’s already settling in and exploring his new habitat.”

Qi the red panda

Qi is currently getting to know his new habitat and his new mate, Nisha. Photo by Allycia Darst / Lincoln Park Zoo.

Red panda at Lincoln Park Zoo

Photo by Chelsea Vann / Lincoln Park Zoo.

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

To learn more about red pandas, see our article, Red Panda.

VIDEO: African Wild Dogs Use Sneezes to Vote

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African wild dog saying achoo!

African wild dogs vote with their sneezes. Photo by paulafrench / iStock.com.

African wild dogs must use teamwork to bring down prey like wild buffaloes or impalas. So how do they decide as a group that they want to hunt?

One study concludes that African wild dogs sneeze as a way to cast their vote to hunt. If there are enough sneezes, then the pack sets off on the chase.

Watch PBS’s Nature video showing African wild dogs sneezing to vote:

To learn more about African wild dogs, see our animal fact article: African Wild Dog.

Baby African Penguin at Chicago Zoo

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Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago welcomed a new African penguin chick in October.

Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago welcomed a new African penguin chick in October. Photo credit: Lincoln Park Zoo.

The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago announced the arrival of a new African penguin chick! After a 40-day incubation period, the baby penguin hatched on October 1.

The chick was born to parents Rosie and Cecil. However, Rosie and Cecil have not been successful in raising chicks in the past, so the Animal Care team has decided this chick will be raised by penguin pair Liam and Maria, who have strong parenting instincts.

The penguin chick behind the scenes

The penguin chick remains behind-the-scenes at Lincoln Park Zoo until it grows its juvenile waterproof feathers. Photo credit: Lincoln Park Zoo.

“As a critically endangered species, each new African penguin chick represents an immense amount of hope for the species’ future,” said Hope B. McCormick Curator of Birds Nicole Finch-Mason.

At this point, the chick remains behind-the-scenes. Soon it will begin exploring outside its nest box. It currently weighs 1.9 kg (4.2 lb.) and has downy feathers.

Once it grows its juvenile waterproof feathers in a few weeks, it will join the other African penguins in the zoo’s colony on exhibit. After 1-2 years, the chick will molt into its adult black and white plumage.

Penguin chick at Lincoln Park Zoo

African penguins are critically endangered. Lincoln Park Zoo participates in the African Penguin Species Survival Plan (SSP), which helps conserve the species. Photo credit: Lincoln Park Zoo.

To learn more about the African penguin chick, visit the Lincoln Park Zoo website.

For more information about African penguins, see our article, African Penguin.

 

VIDEO: Rare Amur Leopard in the Wild

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The Amur leopard, a subspecies of leopard, is one of the most endangered cats in the world. It lives in Russia and China where winters can be very cold and harsh.

Watch a clip from BBC’s Planet Earth of a mother Amur leopard and her cub trying to find food:

To learn more about Amur leopards, see our article: Leopard.

PHOTOS: Baby Black Rhino at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

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First-time mama, Mesi, and her newborn black rhino calf. Photo credit: Grace Humphery, Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

First-time mama, Mesi, and her newborn black rhino calf. Photo credit: Grace Humphery, Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Mesi, a southern black rhinoceros at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, Australia, gave birth to a male calf in August.

The baby rhino is feeding well and staying close to his mama. The pair will remain behind-the-scenes at the zoo for the next few months to continue bonding with each other and with zoo staff.

According to Black Rhino Keeper Grace Humphery, “To see them together is just beautiful. He is a very brave and curious calf. Having another Black Rhino on the ground is so special. He will be an important part of our conservation program and an amazing little ambassador for his species.”

Critically endangered southern black rhino calf at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Critically endangered southern black rhino calf at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Photo credit: Grace Humphery, Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Baby black rhino and mother running around at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Southern black rhinoceros, Mesi, and her calf have been inseparable as they bond behind-the-scenes at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Photo credit: Hayley Brooks, Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Black rhinos are considered critically endangered by the IUCN Red List, with only about 3100 individuals left in the wild. Taronga Western Plains Zoo supports conservation efforts via the International Rhino Foundation as well as its breeding program.

To learn more, visit Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s Black Rhino conservation breeding program.