Baby Boom at the National Zoo

Clouded Leopard Cub

Did you hear that 2007 was the biggest year for births  in America ever? The Octomom is doing her part to make 2009 a record-breaker. Meanwhile, at the National Zoo, a mini baby boom is occurring across many species.

Back in January, the National Zoo announced the arrival of a Western Lowland Gorilla Baby. This is the sixth baby gorilla for mother Mandara and the seventh successful gorilla birth at the National Zoo since 1991. It is important that this  species continues to populate, even in captivity, as they are on the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species.  The National Zoo participates in a Species Survival Plan for mountain gorillas in which they work with other North American zoos to ensure sustainable and diverse populations of the species. Get the latest updates on the baby gorillas on the National Zoo’s website.

In February, a babay black and rufous giant elephant shrew climbed out of its nest and made a premier appearance at the National Zoo. Newborn elephant-shrews hide in their parents’ nest for 21-25 days before coming out.  Zoo staff knew the mother was pregnant and had calculated the period in which they expected the baby. In preparation for the birth, the Keepers minimized noise and created a nuturing exhibit for the newborn baby. Elephant-shrews are an ancient species related to aardvarks and belong to the same order of mammals as manatees and elephants. They are vulnerable to extinction. Learn more about the baby elephant-shrew on the Zoo’s website.

On March 12th, the National Zoo welcomed the second giant anteater ever to be born at the Zoo. The mother, Maripi, underwent constant supervision and weekly ultrasounds to ensure the birth of a healthy baby anteater. The Zoo is currently giving the baby and its mother time to bond before determining the baby’s gender and weight. Anteater fathers are not involved in the rearing of offspring, so the baby’s daddy will be kept in a separate exhibit next to Lemur Island. See photos and video of the baby anteater on the Zoo’s website.

Finally, there was an exciting birth at the National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia yesterday. Jau Chu, the Zoo’s  two and a half year old clouded leopard, gave birth to a litter of cubs. This is the first clouded leopard litter at the Zoo since 1993. The newborn cubs will be kept under supervision away from the public while they grow. In the meantime, if you want to see adult clouded leopards, there are two still on display at the Zoo.

Photo Credit: CC-licensed by Flickr user Smithsonian’s National Zoo