BIRTH OF RARE STAR – WITH STRIPES – IS UK FIRST FOR NINE YEARS!
Blackpool Zoo celebrates birth of Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra
(First broadcast quality video footage available)*
Ecstatic keepers at Blackpool Zoo have really earned their stripes after becoming the first UK team to successfully breed a Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra in the last nine years.
The adorable foal is also the first of its species to arrive in the whole of Europe in 2011, with just 12 born around the globe in 2010.
Named Tebogo, a South African name which means ‘we are thankful’, by keepers, he takes the number of Hartmann’s Mountain Zebras in captivity in the UK to 14.
After closely monitoring mother Helene during her 12 month pregnancy staff arrived for work on Monday 28th February to find the foal already standing and within hours he was suckling. He has since continued to flourish under the watchful eye of his mother.
Sofie Haugaard, Blackpool Zoo’s Senior Large Mammal Keeper, said: “We were delighted when we confirmed that our male zebra Fernando had successfully mated with Helene and that she was expecting a foal.
“Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra births are extremely rare and it is fantastic to know that we have broken a nine year absence of new babies in the UK.
“Now that Helene and Fernando are accomplished parents we are hoping for the pitter patter of more tiny hooves in the future.”
Tanya Langenhorst, the International Studbook Keeper & European Breeding Programme Co-ordinator, added: “The birth of this foal is hugely important and wonderful news for the breeding programme and Blackpool Zoo as it adds not only another foal, but two more proven breeders to the European population.”
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008 lists Hartmann’s Mountain Zebras as Vulnerable with a total population of around 9000.
Current studies indicate that this number could decline by more than 10 per cent in the next 25 years due to an increase in hunting and loss of natural habitat to agriculture.
Hartmann’s Mountain Zebras are native to Namibia and most commonly found in the extremely harsh environmental conditions of the Kunene Region in the North West.
Tebogo takes the number of Hartmann’s Mountain Zebras at Blackpool Zoo to four. Eighteen year old female Bety shares the paddock with proud parents Helene and Fernando, who are seven and six respectively.
-ends-
Notes to editors:
*Video footage: Broadcast quality video footage of Tebogo in his home at Blackpool Zoo is available to send via FTP, You Send It or DVD please call 01772 679 383, 07772268378 or email paula@icgonline.co.uk to make any arrangements.
Pictures show: Proud mother Helene with Tebogo.
Interview opportunities: Interviews with senior keepers and management at Blackpool Zoo can be arranged on request.
Further filming and photography can be arranged on request
More information about Blackpool Zoo:
- Blackpool Zoo is owned by Parques Reunidos, the second largest European leisure parks operator and a leading world wide player.
- Blackpool Zoo is home to over 1,500 mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates set amidst thirty-two acres of mature woodland and lakes. The zoo’s signature animals include elephants, giraffes, big cats, gorillas, orangutans, sea lions, primates, zebras and kangaroos.
- Blackpool Zoo is open every day from 10am.
Blackpool Zoo, East Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8PP. Tel: 01253 830830.
For further information please contact:
Paula Holden, Julie Hackett or Denise Dawson at ICG on 01772 679383,
paula@icgonline.co.uk, julie@icgonline.co.uk or denise@icgonline.co.uk.
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