Potawatomi Zoo announces several births, including first flamingo chick

The Potawatomi Zoo announced several animals in their care have given birth this summer. The babies include Chacoan peccary peclets, a flamingo chick, two tree shrews and a black tree monitor.

The Chacoan peccary peclets were born July 17 to Peppa and Tapo.

“Chacoan peccaries are endangered in their native habitat, the Gran Chaco region of South America, so we’re very excited to be a part of this animal’s Species Survival Plan,” says Josh Sisk, executive director of the Potawatomi Zoo. “Very little is known about the way these animals breed and raise their young, so we have the opportunity to add to the knowledge base and hopefully help this species someday recover in the wild.”

On July 13, the zoo's first flamingo chick was born to Pinky and Boyfriend. It is the first time a flamingo chick has successfully hatched at the zoo.

“Typically, flamingos need a flock of 20 or more individuals to successfully breed,” says Sisk. “Our flamingos are also part of a Species Survival Plan, so this is very exciting news for our Zoo.”

On May 25, two tree shrews were born to William and Guinevere.

On May 9, the zoo's black tree monitors hatched an offspring, but its sex has not been determined.

“Not much is known about black tree monitor breeding habits, so having a breeding group at the Zoo allows us to learn more about the best practices for breeding and encouraging population growth,” says Sisk.

The black tree monitors and tree shrews are in the Learning Center at the zoo, which is closed to the public at this time.