Nothing in life is black and white, as even the first ever baby zebra born in Bristol’s Wild Place Project shows.
The foal has been called Vera, and was born just after midnight on Sunday.
The birth has been a huge boost for staff at the Wild Place Project, Bristol Zoo’s huge parkland reserve on the edge of the city, who have had to deal with it being closed to the public for almost three months.
Staff are now working hard behind the scenes finalising weeks of preparation so they can open to the public safely with the threat of coronavirus.
That includes a host of new measures, including essential buying of tickets online in advance for timed entry slots, to ensure the safety of visitors and staff.
“Every birth is special but this one is particularly special during this difficult time,” said Wild Place’s animal manager Will Walker.
“She is a lovely foal and we are looking forward to our imminent reopening when people can come and see her,” he added.
Vera, who stands about a metre tall, has been named after Dame Vera Lynn and her memorable Second World War song ‘We’ll Meet Again’ which the Queen referred to at the end of her recent lockdown broadcast.
The foal’s stripes are currently brown and her fur is much fuzzier than her parents’ but it will darken in time. Mum Florence, who is 10, is being very attentive, along with five-year-old dad, Peter.
“Vera began suckling very soon after she was born and was walking around within a matter of minutes. Florence is being a good mum so all the signs are very encouraging,” said Will.
The birth is also good news for Vera’s species - she’s a plains zebra, which are classified as Near Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Their numbers are in decline in their native Africa due to hunting and loss of habitat.
“Her birth will hopefully help to raise awareness of the future of this near threatened species as their population in the wild continues to fall,” added Will.
She’s now exploring her new home in the Wild Place’s Benoue National Park exhibit alongside her mum and dad - and they share it with three giraffe, red river hogs and eland.
