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Sad News: Baby Zebra Dies at Arizona Zoo
Tragedy struck at Tucson’s Reid Park Zoo on Tuesday as a baby zebra named Tikiti Maji passed away due to a neck injury. The adorable zebra, just under two months old, met with a fatal accident while playing in her habitat. The incident occurred when a gust of wind startled Tikiti Maji’s mother, Anna. In her attempt to move away, Anna stopped abruptly before reaching the fence. Unfortunately, Tikiti Maji, who was running alongside her mother, couldn’t stop in time and collided with the fence, instantly succumbing to the fatal neck injury.
The heartbreaking news has left everyone at Reid Park Zoo devastated. Nancy Kluge, the President and CEO of the zoo, expressed her condolences, saying, “My heart goes out to Anna, who was an attentive and watchful mother to Tikiti, as well as to the Zoo’s animal care professionals who give their all each day to ensure that every animal at Reid Park Zoo receives quality, loving, and uninterrupted care. We are absolutely heartbroken by the loss.”
Tikiti Maji, who was born on Christmas morning, quickly became known for her adventurous and independent nature as she grew. Adam Ramse, the Director of Animal Care at Reid Park Zoo, described her as playful and energetic, winning the hearts of all who encountered her. The unexpected loss has deeply affected the care team, who will miss her dearly.
The name Tikiti Maji holds a special meaning, as it translates to “watermelon” in Swahili. It was chosen because Anna, the mother zebra, enjoyed eating watermelon during her pregnancy. As Anna grieves the loss of her baby, the zoo will provide her with extra care and support. It is worth mentioning that Anna’s son, Haroo, had recently been transferred to another zoo.
Zebras are delicate newborns, and unfortunately, this is not the first time Anna has experienced the loss of a foal. In July 2020, another one of Anna’s foals passed away. Young zebras have a high mortality rate, and as a species, they tend to get easily startled. In an effort to prevent such accidents, the zoo had made modifications to the zebra habitat, ensuring that the barriers were more visible. Additionally, the care team granted Anna and Tikiti Maji increased access to the larger main zebra habitats and established a quiet zone around the zebras’ behind-the-scenes areas.
Tikiti Maji was a Grevy’s zebra, a species that is currently endangered. With fewer than 2,500 remaining in the wild, Grevy’s zebras are the largest type of zebras, standing at an impressive height of 4 to 5 feet at the shoulder. When fully grown, they can weigh between 770 and 950 pounds. The species has an average lifespan of 12 to 13 years, according to the African Wildlife Foundation.
The loss of Tikiti Maji is a tragic event, reminding us of the fragility of life. Let us cherish the memories of this playful and spirited zebra, and may her story serve as a reminder to appreciate and protect the precious wildlife that surrounds us..
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