For the first time, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) is celebrating the birth of two pygmy slow lorises, an endangered species. Small Mammal House keepers reported for duty the morning of March 21 and observed that 3-year-old mother Naga had given birth overnight and was caring for two infants. She and the babies’ 2-year-old father, Pabu, received a recommendation to breed from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP). These babies are the first offspring for both parents. Keepers have observed Naga carrying, grooming and nursing the babies, which appear to be healthy and strong. Animal care staff will determine the babies’ sexes at their first vet exam, which will take place in a few months. The family is on view at the Small Mammal House, and keepers say the babies are most active in the late morning and early afternoon.Naga and Pabu arrived at NZCBI in August 2022 from the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois and Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas, respectively. SSP scientists determine which animals to breed by considering their genetic makeup, health and temperament, among other factors. According to keepers, Naga’s personality is calm and sweet, though she tends to spook easily. She takes her time when exploring her exhibit and rests often. Pabu, on the other hand, seems to be more high energy. He is inquisitive and always the first to approach keepers and participate in training sessions and feedings. Although pygmy slow lorises reach sexual maturity around 9 months of age for females and 1.5 years of age for males, often they do not successfully reproduce until 2 to 3 years of age. Naga and Pabu’s “howdy” introductions took place in September 2023—about a year after they arrived—and the pair bred soon after meeting. This species’ gestation is about six months.    

Northumberland Zoo officials are excited to announce the births of another two critically endangered bat pups at the Zoo on Mother's Day! Imagine, giving birth to a baby whilst hanging by your thumbs and the baby hangs by the umbilical cord... 🙃🤔 On Mother's Day, keepers were treated to the birth of a critically endangered bat pup at the Zoo and the whole birthing process has been caught on camera. Livingstone's Fruit Bats are the 3rd largest bat in the world and there are less than 1,200 in the wild and only around 100 in captivity. This is a huge success for the captive breeding programme.

With the Easter long weekend and autumn school holidays just around the corner, Taronga Zoo Sydney  has a spring in their steps as a baby boom spreads across the zoo with a view. From a newborn Pygmy Hippo calf learning to dive, two adventurous chimp babies learning the ropes, an impending public debut of a young seal pup and the ecstatic announcement of twin Red Panda cubs – there is so much to see and do at Taronga Zoo.

The world's tallest mammal has been born at Chester Zoo – with the special moment captured live on CCTV cameras.

The leggy newcomer arrived into the world to new mum Orla, with the joyous scene captured by the zoo’s CCTV cameras, at 11:30pm on Tuesday 12 March.

Footage shows the calf falling from a height of six feet onto a bed of soft straw following a 472 day pregnancy and a labour lasting more than three hours.

The youngster can then be seen stumbling to its feet and suckling from mum for the first time – all within just 30 minutes of being born.  

Zookeepers are yet to determine if the two-day old is male or female and have said the calf already weighs more than 70kg and stands at 6 foot tall – but will grow to be more than 18 foot tall and weigh 1,000kg.

At 2:14 this morning, after a gestation period of 651 days, the happy birth of a second African elephant occurred at BIOPARC Valencia. Impressive images of the emotional moment followed, during which it has been observed that the female Maja has begun nurturing and attending to the newborn, amidst the enormous curiosity of the rest of the herd. The animal care team shows caution, reinforcing the protocol and intense surveillance, as the evolution in the first hours and the coming days is crucial.

TOLEDO, Ohio, March 1, 2024 – The Toledo Zoo is thrilled to announce the birth of a healthy baby elephant, born to African elephant, Renee. The male calf, currently weighing 280 pounds, was welcomed into the Tembo Trail exhibit on February 17, 2024.

“The birth of this precious baby elephant is such a momentous event. I couldn’t be prouder of our whole Zoo team. The team not only has such dedication to our elephants but they have also made every effort to bring our members and followers along for the journey of Renee’s pregnancy. A huge part of our mission is to inspire and educate, this baby is already helping us achieve our mission,” said Jeff Sailer, president and CEO of the Toledo Zoo.

A porcupine family at the UK’s largest zoo has grown from three to four, with a spiky new baby joining the prickle – with the little one starting to venture outside just in time for Mother’s Day.  

Mum Kimya, gave birth to the baby, known as a porcupette, at 3.34AM on February 13 at Whipsnade Zoo. 

The newest resident at Stone Zoo is an adorable addition to the growing family

Stoneham Mass.; February 29, 2024 – Visitors to Stone Zoo will notice a fuzzy new face in the prehensile-tailed porcupine habitat.

On February 22, Prickles, a prehensile-tailed porcupine, gave birth to a porcupette. The baby is the fourth offspring for Prickles, age 10, and dad, Shadow, age 11.

The latest prickly addition, who weighed just under 1 pound at birth, is settling in well in the Windows to the Wild space.

Hilvarenbeek, February 24, 2024 – Safari Park Beekse Bergen’s five-day-old elephant calf Tendai, accompanied by the herd, including her two young half-sisters, has discovered the outdoor enclosure of Beekse Bergen for the first time. The rainfall of the previous days was more than welcome: the elephants enjoyed a mud bath with great enthusiasm.

Hilvarenbeek, February 20, 2024 - African elephant Punda has become the mother of a healthy elephant calf after a 22-month pregnancy. This is the third calf born in the Safari Park Beekse Bergen k in four months. Never before have three African elephants been born in a European zoo in such a short time.