Child Babirusa Born at Nashville Zoo

It’s one other thrilling day at Nashville Zoo as a result of we now have a child babirusa! The babirusa piglet was born on July 21, 2021, and her title is Garland. She spent her first few weeks with Tinsel (mother) behind-the-scenes and made her exhibit debut this morning. The piglet had a profitable neonatal examination and we now have bought a wholesome little lady! 

The day earlier than the piglet was born, Tinsel wished to be out on exhibit however didn’t wish to be round Dobby (dad). Tinsel spent her whole day staying busy and readying the house for the infant that was on the way in which. “She was wallowing within the mud repetitively all through the day,” stated Lead Hoofstock Keeper, Nikole Edmunds. “And was constructing herself a nest.”

Though Tinsel was reluctant to go off exhibit that day, she got here in for the evening and her keepers introduced the nest inside along with her. Keepers arrived the subsequent morning and located one joyful, wholesome piglet. Tinsel has been very protecting of her child and keeper workers are giving her loads of house to bond and develop comfy with the piglet.

Tinsel has had piglets at earlier zoos and has confirmed to be a superb mom but once more. This child babirusa was the primary to be born at Nashville Zoo which brings the entire variety of babirusa in our care to 3 (Tinsel, Dobby, piglet). We have now had our babirusas right here at Nashville Zoo since December of 2020. 

North Sulawesi babirusa (Babyrousa celebensis) are thought-about a susceptible species in keeping with the Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and are native to the forests and wetlands of Indonesia. In efforts to unfold consciousness about babirusa and different endemic species, keepers are becoming a member of the Motion Indonesia International Species Administration Plan for World Indonesia Day this August.

Keep tuned for updates on Garland through our social media channels and weblog!