A Grevy’s zebra foal born on Christmas Day at Tucson’s Reid Park Zoo died Tuesday in an accident, officials say.
The foal named Tikiti Maji, which means “watermelon” in Swahili, smashed into wood-paneled fencing in its enclosure while it ran alongside its mother, a news release from the zoo Wednesday said.
Tucson's Reid Park Zoo welcomed a zebra foul to its family. The zoo has announced a naming contest for the baby and you can vote here.
Video courtesy Reid Park Zoo
The foal’s mother, Anna, apparently became startled by a gust of wind and abruptly moved to a different portion of the enclosure. She stopped near the fencing but the foal smashed into it.
”Veterinary staff responded immediately but the foal died instantly due to an injury to her neck,” the release said.
The zoo participates in Grevy’s Zebra Species Survival plan to protect depletion of the wild population, said Chelo Grubb, of the Reid Park Zoological Society.
Accidents like these are not unusual, Grubb noted.
“Zebras as a species can become easily startled, and, sadly, this type of injury is not uncommon,” Grubb said. “Reid Park Zoo lost a male foal in July 2020 to a similar event.”
Zoo staff made preparations for the new foul, creating significant modifications to the zebra habitat.
In this December file photo, Anna stands beside her newborn foal inside of the zebra enclosure at Reid Park Zoo. Anna, a Grevy’s zebra, delivered the foal on Christmas Day.
Now, as with any accident of its kind, further evaluation of the habitat will be conducted, and consultations will be had with experts.
“In a very short time, Tikiti won everyone over with her playful nature and energetic spirit. The care team is taking the unexpected loss very hard. She will be dearly missed,” Adam Ramsey, the zoo’s director of animal care, said in the news release.
The foal’s mother, Anna, is currently spending extra time with her keepers and will soon transition back to spending her days with her companion animals.
“My heart goes out to Anna who was an attentive and watchful mother to Tikiti, as well as the zoo’s animal care professionals who give their all each day to ensure that every animal at Reid Park Zoo receives quality, loving, and uninterrupted care,” Nancy Kluge, the zoo’s president and CEO, said in the release. “We are absolutely heartbroken by the loss.”
