Was Mwamba separated from the cubs?
They read your mind Gigit... and confirmed that it's another boy in the same article
Paignton Zoo is celebrating the birth of its second zebra in six months.
The male foal was born on Monday 16th July to mother Taru, who was herself born at Paignton Zoo in 2002. This is the sixth Hartmann’s mountain zebra to be born at the Zoo.
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park Director of Operations and Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment said: “Two in six months – I couldn’t be more pleased! This is Taru’s first foal – she was a little uncertain at first about whether she liked the idea of being a mum or not, but their bond has gone from strength to strength and we have not had to step in. There is presently a lack of available males in the European Endangered species Programme, so two new males will be a welcome addition to the breeding population.”
The Zoo’s small herd is completed by six year old female Goma and her foal Zac, who was born in February.
Goma came to Paignton Zoo in May 2008 from Marwell Zoo. Father Blesk came from Sigean Safari Park, France but had to be euthanised in December 2011 due to chronic hoof problems.
Hartmann’s mountain zebra come from rocky, mountainous areas. A herd of zebra, when grouped together, presents a dazzling sight to the human eye. The zebra's stripes may be a signalling system for the herd and may also be useful in confusing a predator.
I was hoping this would be a female, the UK breeding population is steadily growing, 3.0 have been born in two collections over the last year and a half.
But these males should go some way to redressing the sex ratio of the EEP population(see NB's comment in their publicity statement above) so look on the bright side..
I hope these two males stay together and a current or new collection (or two!) would create a bachelor group. The reason is if a young male goes to a collection where he's expected to breed with the female(s) then he is more than likely not to breed. He preferably needs to go to a bachelor group first similar to 'Fernando' the current stallion at Blackpool.
None of them suit him
Don't like them either! Better if the winner could choose the name themselves. Being as its Paignton, how about 'Herbert'?
