Adorable Sitatunga Calf Born At The Maryland Zoo

BALTIMORE, MD — The newest member of The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore has people oohing and aahing over her absolute cuteness. June, a female sitatunga calf, was born Feb. 4 to her momma Cricket who also was born at the zoo in 2013. While June didn't nurse well in the beginning, she's finally thriving under the care of her mother.

“This is Cricket’s second offspring and as a proven mother she is showing great maternal instincts," Erin Grimm, mammal collection and conservation manager at the zoo, said in a news release.

The sitatunga is a species of antelope native to Central Africa. They tend to live in swamps, marshes and flood plains. While they are prone to over-hunting, they aren't classified as threatened or endangered. At the Maryland Zoo, there are 10 sitantungas located in two habitats along the boardwalk in the African Journey section of the zoo.

“For now Cricket and June will stay behind-the-scenes together,” Grimm said. “As the weather warms up we will make a determination about when they can make their public debut outside in the Sitatunga Yard with the rest of the herd.”