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Yesterday afternoon, a critically endangered Addra gazelle was born on its exhibit habitat at Zoo Miami. It is the 79th Addra gazelle born in the zoo’s history!
This morning, a neonatal exam was done on the newborn that included determining the gender, collecting blood, getting a weight, cleaning the umbilicus and doing an overall physical exam, including the eyes and mouth. In addition, it was implanted with a microchip to facilitate future identification. The exam was led by Zoo Miami Associate Veterinarian, Dr. Gaby Flacke.
The female calf weighed just under 10 pounds and appears to be in general good health. It has been observed successfully nursing and is being well cared for by her mother who born at the St. Louis Zoo and is just under eight years old. This is her fourth calf. The first-time father is just over eight years old and was born at the San Diego Wild Animal Park.
Addra gazelles are the largest of the world’s gazelles. Sometimes referred to as Dama gazelles, they are a desert dwelling species normally found in very small pockets of arid and semi-arid regions of the Sahara. Once common in those areas, their numbers have been drastically reduced due to war, habitat destruction, overhunting, and human and livestock population expansion.
