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BABY BOOM AT TAUTPHAUS PARK ZOO
Add two more new babies to the list of offspring this year for the Tautphaus Park Zoo: a rock hyrax and a guanaco. The hyrax, which is on exhibit in the Mara Aviaries, was born last Wednesday, August 24th. An adult hyrax is about the size of a football, has very short legs, is covered in brown fur and is an excellent rock climber. The baby hyrax, which the Zoo suspects if female, is about one quarter the size of an adult and is already scampering around on the rocks. The guanaco was born on Saturday the 27th, and is on exhibit with his mother in the South American exhibits. Guanacos are the wild cousins of domesticated llamas.
“This has been an absolutely outstanding year for babies.” said Beth Rich, Zoo Superintendent. “So far, we’ve had 35 successful births or hatchings and we have several more birds sitting on eggs. We could be adding to that number before the end of the year.”
What’s the difference this year? “It’s hard to say,” says Rich. “The Zoo switched over to a new bird food which the birds really like; we have staff that is exceptionally dedicated to high quality care for the animals; and some years, you just have a lot of babies. We’re very proud of our accomplishments this year.” (August 29, 2011)
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