LA Zoo's Cute Scale Goes to 11
Move aside, snow leopards. Twin Peninsular pronghorns are getting the spotlight.
Tad Motoyama
The Los Angeles Zoo has two new additions: rare Peninsular pronghorn twins.
For almost an entire year, two snow leopard cubs have been the kings of cuteness at the Los Angeles Zoo.
For that entire year, we waited for a challenger. It appears the wait may finally be over.
On Tuesday, the LA Zoo announced its newest additions: two Peninsular pronghorns. Not only are they twins (extra points on the cute scale), but they've also made history.
The pair, born Feb. 26, includes one male and female fawn. This marks the first time a female Peninsular pronghorn has been born in a North American zoo.
"Before this pair, we had two sets of twins born here, all males," said Curator of Mammals Jeff Holland. "The only way the Peninsular Pronghorn Recovery Project could keep moving forward is if we got a female fawn."
So far, the LA Zoo is the only institution in America to breed this rare species, according to the zoo. Efforts have been hindered due to a lack of females.
Native to Baja California Sur, Mexico, these graceful animals are mostly active at dawn and dusk, according to a news release from the zoo:
Newborn pronghorns take their first steps within 30 minutes of birth. By the time they are four days old, they can outrun humans. After just a week, fawns can run faster than dogs and horseback riders over short distances. They are the second fastest land mammal and the fastest ungulate (hoofed mammal), clocking in at anywhere from 40 to 60 miles per hour. They can maintain this speed, without showing any sign of distress, for an hour or longer.
The twin pronghorns are available to see in the zoo's nursery now. The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the 134 and 5 freeways. Admission is $13 for adults and $8 for children (ages 2 to 12). The Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For information, call 323-644-4200 or visit www.lazoo.org.
