AssetID: 53035683
Headline: RAW VIDEO: There's No Place Like Rome For Italy's Newborn Endangered Grevy's Zebra
Caption: Keepers at Rome’s zoo, the Bioparco di Roma are celebrating the arrival of a female Grevy's zebra foal - an important moment for a species teetering on the brink of extinction. The birth of this precious zebra occurred overnight between 2 and 3 September, with the mother, Bella, managing the entire process herself. When dawn broke, the vigilant keepers of the herbivore department discovered the newborn standing, full of vitality, and in excellent health. In these early days, the young filly stays close to her mother, who is diligently nursing her. While her stripes currently lean towards brown, as she matures, she will eventually have the characteristic black-and-white patterning of her species. Bella, the proud mother, was born in 2006 at Parco Natura Viva in Verona. Meanwhile, the father, Kye, has been notably absent from Bioparco since June, having been relocated to the zoo in Ostrava, Czech Republic, as part of a crucial conservation effort for this species. Given the significance of the genetic lineage represented by the two females at Bioparco, this move is part of a broader strategy to ensure the species' survival. Sharing the enclosure with the new mother and her filly is Janinka, a 17-year-old zebra originating from a French zoological facility. Distinguished by its narrower, thinner, and thicker stripes, as well as its greater height and larger ears compared to common zebras, the Grevy's zebra is a remarkable creature. "We are overjoyed by this birth," highlights Paola Palanza, President of the Bioparco Foundation. "It significantly contributes to the conservation programs aimed at saving this species, which is facing a grave risk of extinction. Grevy's zebras are currently listed as 'Endangered' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Over the last three decades, their population has dwindled by a staggering 80%, leaving just two thousand of these majestic animals remaining in the wild. The primary threats to their survival include competition with domestic livestock, dwindling food resources, drought, disease transmission from domestic animals, habitat loss, and poaching. Bioparco di Roma is actively engaged in the protection of Grevy's zebras through its participation in the Eaza Ex-situ Programme (EEP) conservation program, overseen by the European Union Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). Our aim is to contribute to the potential reintroduction of these zebras into national parks and nature reserves in Africa." Lucia Venturi, the new Director General of Bioparco and a biologist, adds: "The birth of this zebra is a cause for celebration at Bioparco and stands as a positive symbol for species conservation. It reinforces our commitment to initiatives that promote biodiversity and environmental sustainability."
Keywords: Bioparco di Roma,grevy's zebra,zebra,animals,nature,natural world,feature,photo,video
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