Baby zebra born at Gazipur safari park

A zebra foal was born at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Gazipur in the middle of the month.

With the latest one, the number of the Zebra stands at 26, our Gazipur correspondent reports quoting the park's in-charge Assistant Conservator of Forest Rafiqul Islam.

However, the sex of the baby zebra could not be ascertained yet, according to the authorities.

The official said that the mother zebra was kept in a relatively cool place inside the park for the last few weeks during the birth. The foal is believed to have been born in the middle of this month, he added.

But the matter was kept secret for the security reasons, the official said.

The other zebras of the herd also take care of the baby zebra, he added.

According to park sources, the zebras have been brought in several phases since 2013 through Falcon Traders, a livestock importer, from South Africa.

Anisur Rahman, wildlife supervisor of the safari park, said zebra foals take breast milk for seven to eight months. The baby zebras like to live in the herd. Also, other members of the flock ensure the safety of new members, he added.

The life expectancy of the animal usually is 20 years. But there is a record of the animal's survival of up to 40 years in the restricted area, Anisur Rahman said.