POWELL, Ohio, 2013-04-24 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has welcomed not one, not two, but four new little ones to the Expedition Congo, African Forest region in last six weeks.
The most recent births were of two red river hog piglets which occurred on April 12. These piglets are the first for two-year-old female, Harriett, and five-year-old male, Harold. The piglets are currently being cared for by their mother off exhibit.
The red river hog is a wild member of the pig family living in Africa, with most of its distribution in the Guinean and Congolian forests. The piglets are spotted at birth and get the red coats they are known for as they age.
On April 1 the Zoo welcomed a baby duiker to the family. The baby, who’s sex is unknown at this time, was about 3 ½ lbs at birth. This is the third calf for mother, Chelsea and father, Kringle. The baby is currently being cared for by mom off exhibit.
The black duiker is a forest-dwelling animal found in the southern parts of Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, Benin, and Nigeria. There are 17 black duikers in seven zoos in the U.S. and there have been six live births in the last 18 months including this baby and one other born here at the Zoo.
The animal that kicked-off the baby boom is a male colobus monkey that was named “Dr. Sheldon Cooper” after the quirky character on CBS’s The Big Bang Theory. Sheldon was born to mother, Claire and father, Radi on March 3.
Colobus monkeys are born completely white and typically have the full adult coloration of black and white at the age of six months. At a little over a month old Sheldon’s coloring has already begun to change.
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The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 575 species from around the globe. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also operates the Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a regional attraction with global impact; contributing more than $1 million annually to support over 70 conservation projects worldwide. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator’s prestigious 4-star rating.
CONTACT:
Jennifer Wilson
Director of Communications
NOTE: Media will not have access to the red river hogs or duiker at this time. Photos are available.