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Dama Gazelle Born in October 2009
On October 1, a female dama gazelle was born at the Zoo. Dama gazelles are a critically endangered Saharan antelope. The calf weighed ten pounds at birth. Zoo keepers have seen her nursing, grooming, and galloping—all signs pointing to good health!
For the first few weeks, the calf was off-exhibit with her mother and her sister, who was born last year on November 2. The calf is being gradually introduced to the yard, where her father and a scimitar-horned oryx can be seen. Visitors may be able to see her when she ventures into the yard.
This birth is very significant for the dama gazelle population. The Species Survival Plan manages 120 dama gazelles in the United States. Fewer than 500 remain in the wild, and those few are under constant threat due to hunting and poaching.
The calf's mother is two years old, and her father is one year old. This is their second calf.
Dama gazelles are the focus of a new conservation project for Zoo scientists who will be working to save it from extinction by increasing the population of dama gazelles in captivity, expanding research efforts at the Zoo and in the wild and educating governments, aid agencies and citizens about the importance of wildlife conservation.
