One of the most rewarding parts of my role is getting to see our team welcome new animal babies at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Today, I’m thrilled to share we are celebrating two new animal births in the new year — the park’s first Hartmann’s zebra foal and an Angolan black-and-white colobus monkey.
On Jan. 21, a yet-to-be-named Hartmann’s zebra foal was born to mom Prima under the care of the West Savanna team. This moment marks a milestone for the park as it is the first time this vulnerable zebra species has been born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Weighing in at about 65 pounds, the foal was standing and walking within 30 minutes of birth.
This little one is doing well and bonding backstage with his mom. Much of the time, he is nursing, napping and starting to play and explore his mom’s hay. When he’s ready, he will be introduced in stages to the other zebras and then join the herd as they go out onto the savanna. Be on the lookout for zebra the next time you go on Kilimanjaro Safaris!
Swinging on to other baby news… a male Angolan black-and-white colobus monkey named Douglas was born on Jan. 15 to mom Zahra at Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. Look up high and you can see this small white fur ball snuggling close to his mom. As he grows up, his color will change to black with white around his face, and on his tail, like the others in his troop.
Douglas is the second of his family to be born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. His sister Alika (L) was born in 2018 and likes to preen him while mom looks on.
The Walt Disney Company is passionately committed to the protection of many animals, including zebras and primates.
You can learn more about zebras and black-and-white colobus monkeys and how you can help them by visiting DisneyAnimals.com.