Zoo Atlanta, WHAT’S A LESSER KUDU?

2012-12-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — Find out when Sherlock and Watson debut at Zoo Atlanta

WHO: Welcome Sherlock and Watson, two young male lesser kudus, to the Zoo Atlanta family. Sherlock and Watson are the first ambassadors for their species ever to be represented at the Zoo.

WHAT: Both are a year old and hail from San Diego Zoo Global. Once they’re introduced to their new surroundings, Sherlock and Watson will have a chance to get to know their neighbors in the African Plains exhibit, which is home to giraffes, zebras and ostrich.

These east African antelopes are smaller than their massive relatives the greater kudus, but the term “lesser” shouldn’t imply a less striking impression. Males sport distinctive horns which can grow to 28 inches and may feature up to three twists. At 88 pounds and 112 pounds respectively, Sherlock and Watson are still growing their horns and their bulk; both will someday weigh up to 200 pounds.

Lesser kudus are not yet classified as endangered, but populations are declining as a result of habitat loss and hunting for their horns, which are used as symbols of virility in some traditional rituals

“We’re delighted to welcome a new species to the Zoo and to Atlanta. Lesser kudus are a species with an important conservation story to tell,” said Raymond King, President and CEO. “We hope that having the chance to get to know Sherlock and Watson will help give our guests a personal stake in the many conservation stories now being played out in wild places around the world.”

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WHERE: Zoo Atlanta
800 Cherokee Avenue, S.E.
Atlanta, GA 30315

CONTACT: Keisha N. Hines, Director of Public Relations and Communications
404.624.5980 – office
404.309.2238 – cell
khines@zooatlanta.org

Simone Griffin, Public Relations Coordinator
404.624.2809
sgriffin@zooatlanta.org

ABOUT: About Zoo Atlanta
An accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Atlanta inspires value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family fun. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the Zoo offers memorable close encounters with more than 1,500 animals from around the world. A slate of new up-close-and-personal experiences opened in spring 2012: giraffe feeding, permitting guests to hand-feed Earth’s tallest living land mammals, and Wild Encounters, three new behind-the-scenes adventures with African elephants, giant pandas and Komodo dragon. Other highlights include the nation’s largest collection of western lowland gorillas, the nation’s largest zoological collection of orangutans and a global center of excellence for the care and study of vanishing reptiles and amphibians. The Zoo is open daily with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keeper talks, interactive wildlife shows, education programs and special events run year-round. For more information, call 404.624.WILD or visit zooatlanta.org.

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