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Brevard Zoo Welcomes Their Newest Babies
By Space Coast Daily // March 8, 2014
Six Coscoroba swan cygnets hatched
ABOVE VIDEO: With hammer and nails at the ready, the local community began construction of Brevard Zoo, making their dream a reality. In March of 1994, the zoo opened its gates to the public.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Brevard Zoo's family is growing just in time for its 20th birthday and the newest Zoo babies couldn't have come at a more exciting time with the Official Birthday Weekend, on March 15 and 16, fast approaching.
Six Coscoroba swan cygnets hatched on Feb. 24 to mom, Cinderella, and dad, Prince Charming. This is their first clutch. Incubation is 35 days. Mom, Cinderella, was hatched at the Zoo in 2003 while dad, Prince Charming, came from West Palm Beach Zoo in 2013. (ZooBorns.com image)
Six Coscoroba swan cygnets hatched on Feb. 24 to mom, Cinderella, and dad, Prince Charming. This is their first clutch. Incubation is 35 days. Mom, Cinderella, was hatched at the Zoo in 2003 while dad, Prince Charming, came from West Palm Beach Zoo in 2013.
Prince Charming protected Cinderella as she sat on their eggs for over a month. He was quite protective with the keepers as well as the other animals sharing the yard. Keeping everyone out of the water and away from the nest has been his mission for the past 30 plus days.
The Coscoroba swans share an exhibit in the La Selva loop with a family of Capybaras who have also expanded their family. Six Capybara pups were born on March 1 to mom, Bailey, and dad, Clancy. This is the fourth litter for the pair who came to the Zoo in 2011. (ZooBorns.com image)
Both parents kept their clutch very safe and protected. When the time came for hatching, all went well. The cygnets were in the water the next day, and continue to grow and thrive. Prince Charming has eased up a little, allowing some of the other waterfowl into the water and letting the Capybaras get a little closer, but is still protective of his brood. He and Cinderella are proving to be great parents.
The Coscoroba swans share an exhibit in the La Selva loop with a family of Capybaras who have also expanded their family. Six Capybara pups were born on March 1 to mom, Bailey, and dad, Clancy. This is the fourth litter for the pair who came to the Zoo in 2011. Bailey came from Alameda Park Zoo in March 2011, and Clancy came from Buffalo Zoo in May 2011. Gestation for Capybaras is 150 days. The genders of the pups are not known at this time.
All babies are now on exhibit and growing quickly so be sure to visit the Zoo to see them soon. (ZooBorns.com image)
The Capybaras are a mixed group. With juveniles from previous births, it is challenging to see the six new pups in one place. Each pup is developing their own personality.
While some like to hang in a group, there is usually one or two that will venture off on their own. They all enjoy hanging out with
dad, returning to mom to nurse and are already eating solid food, which they began doing just two days after birth.
An exhibit that went from seven Capybaras jumped to 13 and two swans went to eight, add in the four other waterfowl and it grew from 13 to 25 animals in just a week! Other species in this exhibit are four Black-bellied Whistling ducks, an Orinoco goose and a Bahama pintail.
All babies are now on exhibit and growing quickly so be sure to visit the Zoo to see them soon!
For more information about the Zoo, please visit BrevardZoo.org.
ABOUT THE BREVARD ZOO
Brevard Zoo is a not-for-profit organization and a leader in wildlife conservation and education. The Zoo is home to more than 880 animals representing 182 species located in Florida, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia and accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Zoo features many extraordinary animal experiences including giraffe and lorikeet feedings, African kayak tours, paddle boats in the wetlands and a train ride.
Brevard Zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last admission is at 4:15 p.m. Treetop Trek is open daily at 9 a.m. The last admission is 3 p.m. for the Treetop Challenge Course and 3:30 p.m. for the Canopy Walk and Chutes and Ladders courses. Parking is always free. Twenty-five cents of every admission to Brevard Zoo supports the Zoo's conservation projects through Quarters for Conservation. Group discounts and adventure packaging are available.
Brevard Zoo and Treetop Trek are a half-mile east of I-95 at exit 191 on Wickham Road in Melbourne – 25 minutes from the Melbourne International Airport and 45 minutes from the Orlando International Airport. For more information, please call (321) 254-WILD.