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Disney welcomes foursome of zebra foals this summer

There has been a baby zebra boom at Walt Disney World lately. Four foals were born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park and Animal Kingdom lodge in June and July.

This set of Hartmann’s mountain zebras will eventually be seen by the public on the theme park and resort savannah.

In June 13, Penne, a female foal was born to mother Heidi. She weighed in at nearly 100 pounds at birth, Disney says.

Heidi’s first offspring was Asha, born at DAK in 2020. In July, Asha gave birth to a boy, creating a three-generation family seen on the savannah at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Later, Juno gave birth to a girl named Cada, whose sister Cricket was born at the park in 2023.

And on July 16, Aziza gave birth to a male zebra. They’re both still backstage, out of sight of the public. (Aziza also gave birth to Dot at Disney World last year).

“Each of these new arrivals is incredibly special for the Hartmann’s mountain zebra species,” Dr. Mark Penning, Disney Parks vice president for animals, science and environment, wrote on the official Disney Parks Blog. “Currently, these animals are listed as a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and hunting.”

This summer’s zebra births were enabled by the Species Survival Plan of the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums.

Hartmann’s mountain zebras are native to sub-Saharan Africa. Animal Kingdom is also home to Grevy’s zebras and plains zebras.

dbevil@orlandosentinel.com