Hello Autumn, and hello baby zebra!

Como Zoo is happy to announce the successful birth of a zebra foal to Grant’s Zebra “Thelma”. Mom and baby are both doing well, enjoying the first day of Autumn. The baby zebra was born sometime during the overnight hours, September 21 to September 22 (today). When the zookeepers arrived this morning, they discovered the foal up, walking strong, and closely shadowing its mother, Thelma. The gender of the baby is still unknown.

Thelma and her foal, along with Grant zebra Minnie and her foal Aurora who was born in May, can be seen by the public in the outdoor Zebra and Kudu exhibit daily from 10am-4pm.

The gestation period for zebras ranges from 10-12 months. A newborn zebra’s stripes will turn from brown to black sometime between the first 9-18 months of life. Como is home to Grant’s Zebras, which are commonly found in the grassy plains of eastern Africa including the countries of Kenya and Ethiopia.

Father, Ulysses, sired the newborn. Como’s zebras are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding population.

Sponsor the Baby Zebra! Sponsoring an animal makes a great gift – that keeps giving back. Animal sponsorships are a unique way to help Como Park Zoo and Conservatory with its wildlife conservation efforts. They support enhanced habitats and efforts to maintain the best care possible for the animals, including the zebra, at Como Zoo. To purchase, visit Garden Safari Gifts at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, call 651-487-8229 or go online to comofriends.org.