Lincoln Park Zoo Announces Grevy’s Zebra Pregnancy and Welcomes New Arrivals

Chicago (May 19, 2020) – While Lincoln Park Zoo is temporarily closed for the first extended period in its 152-year history, the zoo remains an urban oasis full of life, with a zebra foal expected this summer and the recent birth of a Diana monkey and two Japanese macaques.

Lincoln Park Zoo is excited to announce that 13-year-old female Grevy’s zebra Adia is pregnant. This is Adia’s fourth offspring, and her second offspring with 9-year-old sire Wester. The pregnancy is a result of a breeding recommendation from the Grevy’s Zebra Species Survival Plan® (SSP), which cooperatively manages the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) population. Adia’s progesterone levels, measured by non-invasive fecal samples collected in February and analyzed by the Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology, as well as a growing abdomen and increased food consumption, indicate Adia is pregnant.

“We are looking forward to welcoming another Grevy’s zebra to the herd, not only because foals are adorable, but because they will be a success story for this endangered species,” said Dan Boehm, curator of Small Mammal-Reptile House, Children’s Zoo, Camel & Zebra.

The foal is expected to arrive in July. Grevy’s zebra are native to eastern Africa and are endangered in the wild due to hunting and habitat loss.

At the other end of the zoo at Regenstein Macaque Forest, the zoo celebrated the birth of two Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys. Nara welcomed a female infant named Nikko on March 15, 2020. A few weeks later, Ono gave birth to a male infant, named Ozu, on April 18, 2020. Both infants are doing well and join the troop of 11 snow monkeys at Regenstein Macaque Forest.

“Infants bring such joy to folks at the zoo and make for a very active macaque troop,” said Curator of Primates Jill Moyse. “While we are disappointed guests can’t visit the troop currently, our essential staff are enjoying the pick-me-up that two curious primate babies bring.”

Diana monkey Cece at Regenstein African Journey welcomed an infant on April 23 as part of the Diana Monkey Species Survival Plan® (SSP). The infant joins the troop of four Diana monkeys and has yet to be sexed or named.

While the zoo is currently closed, guests can see photos and videos of the new zoo babies on the zoo’s blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram channels. For more information about Lincoln Park Zoo, visit lpzoo.org.

About Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.

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