Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra born at the SCBI
News about the newest resident of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute just outside Front Royal:
For the rst time in the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s (SCBI) history, ungulate keepers celebrated the birth of a male Hartmann’s mountain zebra at the Front Royal facility. The colt was born overnight July 2 to 6-year-old mother Mackenzie and 5-year-old father Rogan. He is the
rst o spring for both parents. Ungulate keepers are closely monitoring the colt, and they report that he appears to be nursing well and sticking close by Mackenzie’s side.
Before their arrival at SCBI, Mackenzie and Rogan received a recommendation to breed from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP). The SSP scientists determine which animals to breed by considering their genetic makeup, health, personality and temperament, among other factors. In October 2018, Mackenzie and Rogan were transferred to SCBI from the Elmwood Park Zoo in Pennsylvania and the Cleveland Zoo in Ohio, respectively. Females typically reach sexual maturity around 2 to 3 years of age, while males become sexually mature around age 4 or 5. The pair bred naturally in June and July of 2019; Hartmann’s mountain zebra gestation is about one year.
Each zebra is a unique individual, and keepers are looking forward to seeing how the colt’s personality develops. While mother Mackenzie is feisty and a bit stando sh, father Rogan is quirky and easygoing. The colt lives with Mackenzie and an unrelated female, 7-yearold Xolani, in a herd. Since male zebras do not provide any parental care to their o spring, Rogan lives in a separate enclosure nearby. Although the colt sticks close by Mackenzie’s side now, keepers say they are excited to see the foal explore his surrounding and watch his curiosity grow. Over the next two months, the colt will start sampling grass and pellets.