West Midlands Safari Park has welcomed two Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) foals, born 17 days apart as part of the European conservation breeding programme for the Endangered species.
The first, a male named Oakley, was born on 13 July to mother Akuna. A female, Ozara, followed on 30 July and was born to Nafeesa. Both foals share the same father, Angus.
Their first days, however, were very different. Ozara was able to stand within the first hour after birth, while Oakley had difficulty getting onto his feet and required intensive support from the animal care and veterinary teams.
Round-the-clock care for Oakley
During approximately the first three weeks of his life, Oakley received medication and continuous monitoring as the team worked to support his development.
The young zebra began standing independently at around two weeks old and has since continued to make progress.
Both foals have now been introduced to the Safari Drive alongside their mothers, where they can explore their surroundings and become familiar with the other animals.
The two births add new individuals to the population managed within the EAZA Ex situ Programme (EEP) for Grevy’s zebra, which coordinates breeding among participating zoological institutions to maintain a genetically and demographically healthy population under human care.
Around 3,000 Grevy’s zebras remain in the wild
Grevy’s zebra is the largest of the world’s three zebra species and is distinguished by its narrow stripes and large, rounded ears.
The species is found mainly in northern Kenya, with a smaller population in Ethiopia, and faces a range of pressures including habitat loss and degradation, competition for water and resources and increasingly severe droughts.
According to West Midlands Safari Park, only around 3,000 Grevy’s zebras are thought to remain in the wild.
The park also supports the Grevy’s Zebra Trust, which works with local communities in Kenya and Ethiopia to conserve the species and its habitat.
For Oakley and Ozara, meanwhile, the first weeks have led to the same destination despite very different beginnings: both young zebras are now out on the Safari Drive with their mothers and continuing to develop.
