New babies born at Bio Centre

New life was booming all around at the National Zoological Garden’s Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation Centre with the arrival of Giraffe and Tsessebe babies amongst others.
The male Giraffe was first seen when it was only about 2 days old, the most recent addition to the herd of 10, now 11 individuals, 6 males and 5 females.
The newborn Tsessebe was a week old when first spotted earlier this month. Mom was very protective and she kept the Paparazzi away. The Calf, although still unstable on its feet could easily keep up with mom. Tsessebe can reach speeds of between 60 & 70km/h. Tsessebe has a global conservation status of “Least Concerned” but numbers are declining, due to the loss of suitable habitat, open Savannah woodlands. In South Africa Tsessebe have the conservation status of “Endangered”.
Tsessebe are part of the Damaliscus spp. inclusive of the Bontebuck and Blesbuck which had historically different geographical distributions and are closely related to the Hartebeest. As the game farming industry has developed, man has relocated these four species into the same areas which has and does result in hybrids between these four species, especially when the sex ratios are not correct. Conservation legislation prohibits the location of these species onto the same farm.
- Mark Howitt, head: Mokopane Biodiversity Conservation Centre, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa