A lesser kudu calf and adult sitatunga male are new additions to African Journey
BALTIMORE, MD – Earlier this year, Maryland Zoo welcomed the birth of a lesser kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis) and the arrival of a breeding age male sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii).
The female kudu calf, named Cortina, weighed 6.1 kg (just a little over 13 pounds) when she was born at the Zoo on February 4th. The adult Sitatunga is named Bronco and arrived on November 11 from another accredited zoo. He currently weighs 108 kg (238 pounds). Both animals are now regularly visible along the boardwalk in the African Journey section of the Zoo.
“Kudu and sitatunga belong to the group of spiral-horned antelope and have spotted and striped markings to help them blend into their environment. Only the males of these two species will have the noticeable twisted horns,” said Erin Cantwell Grimm, Mammal Curator at Maryland Zoo.
“Maryland Zoo has been successful breeding both sitatunga and kudu over the years and, with Bronco’s arrival, we’re excited to add new calves next season,” Cantwell Grimm said.
The birth and transfer were recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plans©. SSPs provide breeding recommendations to maximize genetic diversity, with the goal of ensuring health of the individual animal as well as the long-term survival to help save animals from extinction.
Kudus are one of eight species of African spiral-horned antelope and are listed as “near threatened” as a result of hunting and human disruption of their habitat. In the wild, they are found in the northern woodlands of east Africa. Closer to home, you can find them on Maryland Zoo’s African Journey Boardwalk where the sitatunga yard is across from the flamingos and the kudus live with gazelle next to the rhino habitat.
The sitatunga is a species of antelope native to Central Africa. Outside of protected areas, sitatunga are vulnerable to over-hunting and habitat loss, as people drain and develop swamp land. Currently, sitatunga are not classified as threatened or endangered.
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