An addax, Arabian oryx, two Grevy’s zebra and two giant elands were born last week.
Zoo Miami has welcomed six new baby animals to six different mothers at its sanctuary.
All six animals are females and from species that have been classified as either endangered or vulnerable.
The first birth was a female addax born on July 2. Addaxes are African desert antelopes and are one of the most endangered animals in the world, with fewer than 100 left in the Sahara.
The second birth was a Grevy’s zebra born on July 5.
They have thin stripes and large ears, and are indigenous to north-eastern Africa.
Two days later, an Arabian oryx, a species that was recently successfully reintroduced to the wild, was born.
The week finished with the births of another Grevy’s zebra and two giant elands, large antelopes found in central Africa deemed vulnerable.
The zoo is also anticipating two more births any day now, of another giant eland and a giraffe.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A beloved giraffe at a zoo in South Dakota has died.
On Thursday, the Great Plains Zoo and Butterfly House & Aquarium in Sioux Falls announced the death of Chioke, an 18-year-old reticulated giraffe. He died March 28.
“Following a severe fracture in his front left foot, Animal Care and Veterinary leaders made the difficult, but responsible, decision to humanely euthanize him,” the zoo said in a news release.
Chioke, born in Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, came to the zoo in 2007. He grew to nearly 15 feet tall and sired three offspring, who went on to other zoos. The Great Plains Zoo remembered him for his playfulness.
He had recurring hoof and foot issues in his later years, including two fractures to the tip of his toe bone and resulting arthritis, the zoo said. He suffered a more serious fracture in March.
The zoo consulted nationwide for a treatment plan and used several methods, including drugs, rest and laser therapy, but ultimately decided to euthanize Chioke “due to quality-of-life concerns" after his team had ruled out immobilizing him for surgery or an orthopedic device, and X-rays showed the fracture had worsened.
Zoo staff visited the giraffe to say goodbye, feeding him apple biscuits, a favorite of his.
“We remember Chioke as a gentle, curious, mischievous giraffe who was always up for feedings and interacting with his keepers and guests,” the zoo said. “'Chioke' means ‘gift from God,’ and he certainly was."
This image provided by the Great Plains Zoo shows Chioke relaxing in an enclosure at the zoo in Sioux Falls, S.D., in May 2023. The beloved 18-year-old reticulated giraffe died, March 28, 2024, the zoo announced Thursday, April 4, 2024. Chioke, born in Busch Gardens in Tampa, Fla., came to the zoo in 2007. He grew to nearly 15 feet tall and sired three offspring, who went on to other zoos. (Great Plains Zoo via AP)
This image provided by the Great Plains Zoo shows Chioke plays with his ball in an enclosure at the zoo in Sioux Falls, S.D. , in July, 2021. The beloved 18-year-old reticulated giraffe died, March 28, 2024, the zoo announced Thursday, April 4, 2024. Chioke, born in Busch Gardens in Tampa, Fla., came to the zoo in 2007. He grew to nearly 15 feet tall and sired three offspring, who went on to other zoos. (Great Plains Zoo via AP)
This image provided by the Great Plains Zoo shows Chioke in an enclosure at the zoo in Sioux Falls, S.D., in March 2024. The beloved 18-year-old reticulated giraffe died, March 28, 2024, the zoo announced Thursday, April 4, 2024. Chioke, born in Busch Gardens in Tampa, Fla., came to the zoo in 2007. He grew to nearly 15 feet tall and sired three offspring, who went on to other zoos. (Great Plains Zoo via AP)
