Singapore Zoo welcomes endangered Grevy’s zebra foal

SINGAPORE — Singapore Zoo has welcomed its first Grevy’s zebra foal, a female called Izara, a name of African origin meaning “star”.

The arrival on Sept 30 takes to five the size of the zoo's recently arrived herd, or "dazzle", of Grevy's zebras, the most endangered of the world's three remaining zebra species.

Izara was born to parents named Desta and Kolle, both six years old. There are two other females at the zoo, named Jasiri and Moyo, all part of a managed breeding programme.

The adults arrived from the United States’ Tanganyika Wildlife Park in June last year, under the care of Mandai Wildlife Group, which oversees the zoo and other wildlife facilities.

The breeding programme is part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria programme for the species that aims to maintain a healthy and sustainable population under human care for conservation and education purposes.

Known for having the largest ears among the world’s zebras, Grevy’s zebras are the largest and most endangered of the three remaining species.

Fewer than 2,000 are left in the wild with just over 400 under human care, Mandai Wildlife Group said in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 26).

They are mostly found in isolated pockets of Ethiopia and Northern Kenya.

Dr Luis Carols Neves, vice-president of animal care from the Mandai Wildlife Group, said: “Every birth is a celebration, and this healthy and active foal will play a part in contributing to the population under human care.”