Brevard Zoo Welcomes New Female Calf Klipspringer at the Expedition Africa Loop
– Have you herd?
A female klipspringer was born to parents Deborah and Ajabu in our Expedition Africa loop!
Both Mom and baby have been doing well in their first couple of weeks together.
"We are seeing great care from Deborah, and the baby seems to be getting stronger by the day," said Expedition Africa keeper Savannah.
"She has been seen jumping and running around, but she does spend most of her time sleeping – being a baby that cute is hard work!"
This was also one of the few times keepers were able to spot Deborah in the labor and delivery process. Birthing for klipspringers can happen in a matter of minutes, so being able to observe her was a special moment for her animal care team.
We're going to let the little one get a bit bigger before introducing her to the outside world. Once she's ready to explore beyond her barn stall, Deborah and baby will have the option to head out on habitat in the mornings and then shift inside in the afternoons to allow Ajabu and Tiny, the older offspring of this pair, access to the habitat.
We also hope to introduce the young'un to Ajabu in time, but Deborah will first need to receive a birth control implant. Ajabu and Deborah were matched by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, a program that pairs animals within AZA-accredited zoos to ensure healthy, genetically diverse populations. We are so proud of Deborah for her part in helping populate her species. However, the duo's genetics are now well-represented, so we are giving them a pause on new babies.
"Ajabu is a great dad and has been very involved in the past, so we are just waiting for the implant and then they will be reunited," said Savannah.
We will let you know when you'll have your first chance to spot this newest addition for yourself. Keep an eye on our communications channels for more baby news!
