SEEING STRIPES!
12/04/2025
CREATURE FEATURE: Today we are seeing stripes! There are three subspecies of the iconic zebra, and here at IDZ we are host to the endangered Grévy's Zebra! Equus grevyi is commonly known as the Imperial Zebra and is currently the most endangered subspecies of Zebra on the planet. The Grévy's Zebra is unique to the zebra in that they are much similar in shape to a mule or donkey compared to the more 'horse-like' plains and mountain zebras! They have large, dish-like ears that are quite fuzzy. The Grévy's Zebra is also the tallest of the subspecies (standing on average between 4.8-5.2ft-- for the horse lovers that's over 15 hands high!) and has notably finer and thinner stripes. Our current herd stands at one male and two females, with potential future breeding plans.
The Grévy's zebra is considered endangered. Its population was estimated to be 15,000 in the 1970s and by the early 21st century the population was lower than 3,500, a 75% decline. In 2008, it was estimated that there are less than 2,500 Grévy's zebras still living in the wild, further declining to fewer than 2,000 mature individuals in 2016. Nonetheless, the Grévy's zebra population trend was considered stable as of 2016. The Grévy's zebra is legally protected in Ethiopia. In Kenya, it is protected by the hunting ban of 1977. In the past, Grévy's zebras were threatened mainly by hunting for their skins which fetched a high price on the world market. However, hunting has declined and the main threat to the zebra is habitat loss and competition with livestock.
- Zookeeper Carly
SKUNK ON THE HUNT!
11/01/2025
CREATURE FEATURE: Today we are featuring currently one of our smallest residents, the Pygmy Spotted Skunk! Spilogale pygmaea is a burrowing member of the Skunk family found along the Pacific Coast of Mexico! They are incredibly weasel-like in nature, compared to their cousins and just like their name suggests they are SO very small. Only reaching 185-465mm (that's 7.2-18.3 inches for the Americans) in total length. Some are small enough to fit in your hand! Skunks are known omnivores however the Pygmy Spotted Skunk is known to be particularly carnivorous, aside from fruits and berries, they enjoy insects, small mammals, birds and reptiles. In the wild they are even known to occasionally break into chicken coops to steal eggs! Today, our friend is enjoying an enrichment puzzle feeder filled with many of his favorite snacks!
The IUCN Red List species is classified as a vulnerable species due to the progressive reduction of its population, up to 30% over three generations (15 years) inferred by the percentage of habitat loss. This species has a restricted and discontinuous habitat in an area of Mexico in open development is threatened as a result of the activities related to tourism development. The species inhabits a variety of habitats and can survive under conditions of human intervention in these areas, but dogs and cats pose a threat.
[x] - Zookeeper Carly
