Baby zebra born at Wild Place Project in Bristol
A baby zebra has been born at Wild Place Project in a first for the popular wildlife attraction in Bristol.
Zookeepers have named her Vera after Dame Vera Lynn and she arrived just after midnight on Sunday, 7 June.
Watch little Vera, feeding, frolicking, and hanging out with mum.
She currently stands about one metre tall. The foal’s stripes are brown at present and her fur is much fuzzier than her parents’ but it will darken in time.
Mum Florence, who is 10, is being very attentive, along with five-year-old dad, Peter.
Vera's birth is a huge boost for the Bristol Zoo owned attraction, which has been closed since March and is now preparing to welcome visitors back.
Vera is a plains zebra which are classified as Near Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Their numbers are in decline in their native Africa due to hunting and loss of habitat.
Will Walker, animal manager at Wild Place Project, said “Her birth will hopefully help to raise awareness of the future of this near threatened species as their population in the wild continues to fall.”
Staff are working hard behind the scenes to implement a host of new measures to ensure the safety of visitors and staff.
Wild Place Project is expected to reopen before Bristol Zoo and an expected opening date will be announced soon.
Visitors will have to buy timed tickets in advance. Inside, they will experience a one-way systems across the site, extra hand-washing facilities and signage to maintain social distancing.
READ MORE: