NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- It's stacking up to be quite a year for newborns at the Virginia Zoo and the baby fever continues as the zoo welcomes a newborn zebra to its facility!
Abby, a 16-year-old Hartmann's mountain zebra, gave birth on March 5 to a female foal named Athena!
In January, staffers welcomed their first female Victoria Crowned pigeon and close to the end of December 2017, a baby lion named Emery was born!
Zookeepers chose the name, Athena, based on the tradition of choosing a name with the first initial 'A' after her mom, Abby.
“The foal weighed 80 and stands approximately three feet tall,” zoo veterinarian Dr. Colleen Clabbers said. “Abby is a great, experienced mom and is taking good care of baby Athena."
Female zebras can produce a foal every one to three years. Their gestation periods are approximately one year.
The foal will stay close to her mother for eight to 12 months before being weaned.
Click here to learn more about baby Athena!
