Page 33 - Brookfield Zoo Chicago Annual_Report_2024

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is one
of 15 AZA institutions that house
the species in North America. care
Conservation work, including RODRIGUES
breeding programs at zoos such FRUIT BAT
ANIMAL MEALS SERVED IN 2024
as the AZA Rodrigues Fruit Bat
Species Survival Plan (SSP) MEAT 32,000 POUNDS
we participate in, has raised the
FISH 170,000 POUNDS
population up to 20,000 individuals
HAY 186,000 POUNDS
from 4,000 ten years prior as
of a 2016 census. PRODUCE 238,000 POUNDS
EGGS 6,120 UNITS
Grevy’s Zebra Birth
EARTHWORMS 21,700 UNITS
A Grevy’s zebra foal was born
CRICKETS 3,693,500 UNITS
to Nyota and Diesel in July 2024,
a recommended pairing by the AZA
Grevy’s Zebra Species Survival Plan
(SSP). Born just as the Gin Blossoms’
GREVY’S
Roaring Nights concert was set
ZEBRAS
to kick off, the foal was named Robin
and black stripes. Each zebra’s
after Gin Blossoms lead vocalist
stripe pattern is as unique
Robin Wilson!
as human fingerprints.
The average gestation for Grevy’s
The Grevy’s zebra is classified as
zebras is just over 400 days (about
endangered on the IUCN Red List
13.6 months). A foal can stand within
and is also listed on Appendix I
15 minutes after being born and
of the Convention on International
can walk and run within the first hour.
Trade of Endangered Species and
Zebra foals are born with a unique
Fauna (CITES), which protects
wooly coat of light chocolate
the species from illegal trading.
or russet stripes, which are darker
The Grevy’s Zebra Trust estimates
on the head, neck, and legs.
the current population is just over
A distinctive bushy mane runs from
3,000 individuals, a dramatic
just behind the ears to the tail and
decline from the global population
down the midline of the belly.
of approximately 15,000 in the
By the age of 5 months, the foal’s late 1970s. As of 2024, there are
coat will transition to the more 142 Grevy’s zebras at 32 accredited
familiar adult pattern of short hair North American zoos.
ANNUAL REPORT 2024 25