Baby Zebra Born At Cape May County Zoo

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NJ — A Grant's zebra foal was born July 17 at the Cape May County Park & Zoo, giving the county zoo a new addition to its herd.

The filly was born to mother Lydia and was sired by the herd's stallion, Ziggy, according to the zoo.

The new foal is Lydia's fourth at the Cape May County Park & Zoo. Visitors may notice the filly spending much of the day resting, which the zoo described as an important part of healthy early development. Between naps, guests can also see her nursing, staying close to Lydia and beginning to explore the exhibit alongside the rest of the herd.

County Commissioner Andrew Bulakowski, the board's liaison to the Cape May County Park & Zoo, said the birth highlights work happening locally.

"Every birth at the zoo reflects the important work taking place right here in Cape May County," Bulakowski said. "It is a wonderful moment for our community, and I hope residents and visitors will stop by to welcome the newest member of the herd."

The zoo said Grant's zebras are a subspecies of the Plains zebra native to the grasslands of central and eastern Africa. After an approximately 13-month gestation, zebra foals are born well-developed. The zoo said they can stand within minutes and run within about an hour of birth.

For visitors heading to the zoo, the youngest herd member may not be constantly on the move just yet. The zoo said early rest is normal, and guests may see the filly close to Lydia as she settles in and starts exploring her surroundings with the herd.