Two Rescuers Save A Drowning Newborn Zebra, The Mom’s Reaction Goes Viral
Can you imagine a newborn running away from their mother right after being born? Neither could the baby zebra’s mother or the zookeepers at Spain’s Valencia Bioparc. The turn of events would shock everyone, even the little guy himself!
Everyone knows that baby animals can be clumsy during their first few days in the world. But, compared to humans, baby animals are pretty skilled at getting up and walking, even within the first few hours of being born! While they may stumble and fall in the first couple of minutes, they can eventually get up and begin walking around. Many newborn animals are also born at quite a substantial weight. Zebras for example weigh about 10x as much as the average newborn baby!
A baby zebra in Spain’s Valencia Bioparc experienced the same thing as many other animals, and began walking and exploring right after being born. The zoo’s staff monitored the moment in case anything went array. A camera crew was even in attendance, filming the entire event. Who doesn’t love baby animal pictures, right? The Bioparc hoped to get some good shots for their social media page, the line would be out the door to see the baby zebra!
However, what happened next took everyone by surprise. It was a good thing the Bioparc’s staff were all in attendance for the birth because what happened mere minutes after was something not everyone witnesses in life. Can you believe the baby zebra’s actions surprised the other safari animals as well? We’re so glad this event was documented because we bet some people wouldn’t believe it really happened if we told them! We bet the Bioparc has many of the stunning photos on display. Not only are they amazing, but so is the story they tell!
The Park Near The River
The Valencia Bioparc is home to many different kinds of animals. The park can be found near a river named Túria, where a beautiful botanical garden now rests filled with various animal species. The zebras share the space with flamingos and rhinos, among others. One of the animals in the park, a zebra, was getting ready to deliver her baby.
The Park Near The River
The Mother Zebra
The mother zebra was being monitored while she was giving birth to her baby so that the staff would be able to intervene in case anything went wrong. And, they were right to do so because things did get worse. The mother zebra was so exhausted while in labor that she almost could not get up! La Nina, meaning ‘The Girl’ in English was in trouble!
The Mother Zebra
The Baby Is Out
Finally, the baby was coming out. The mother zebra gave birth to a male zebra. He had no idea, however, that the watering hole would be the first thing he would see! Usually, only minutes after they are born, foals try to get up and begin walking – usually to go to the milk. However, it seems that this little guy had a bath in mind…
The Baby Is Out
In a Hurry
There was a video being shown in local reports of the baby zebra getting up. Even though he waited to be cleaned at first, it probably took too long, so he decided that a bath would be better than his mother’s licking. Once she cut the umbilical cord, the baby zebra went straight to the water. Seeing this, the mother became desperate!
In a Hurry
Unable To Help
Moving unsteadily, the newborn zebra walked into the water. In the video, the mother zebra can be seen making noises, though she is unable to move faster and help the baby zebra out of the water. Since she spent all her energy in giving birth, she could only watch in horror while her baby continued walking into the water…
Unable To Help
Help Comes Around
The distressed mother did not know what to do, but help eventually comes around. What’s more, she is not very patient, and a protective mom is not someone you would want to mess with. The staff made their way to her and went near the baby, which by that time seemed to be drowning. This is how the mother zebra reacted!
Help Comes Around
A Heroic Act
With the quick response of two zookeepers who got into the water immediately, what could have been a tragedy became a heroic act. The video of their deed was shared on the YouTube channel of the Bioparc and it soon turned viral. The video shows the baby zebra making wailing noises. It must have realized that it was not a good idea to take a bath…
A Heroic Act
Saving A Baby Zebra
The 101 for saving baby animals says that you first need to make sure the mother does not attack you. Therefore, the zookeepers splashed water at the mother zebra to make her stay at a safe distance. This gave them enough time to get the baby zebra to the shore. This is what they did next!
Saving A Baby Zebra
Help Is On The Way
The baby zebra learned a lesson the hard way – it is not easy to keep your head on the surface! Then, the men went near him, trying to grab him. Within just a couple of seconds, they were able to get near the baby, while still making sure to watch the protective mother. Then, they grabbed the baby and the mother’s reaction was pretty amazing.
Help Is On The Way
A Protective Mother
In the beginning, La Nina did not want the men to touch her baby, so she gathered the little strength she had left and slowly made her way into the water. She knew from instinct that her baby needed to be saved from the two humans as well as her from the water. However, when she realized what the staff were doing, she calmed down…
A Protective Mother
Back On The Shore
The two zookeepers tried their best to carry the baby back to the shore as fast as possible. To let the mother know to stay back, the man on the right splashed some water at her. Seconds later, the men finally got to the shore. Even though the mother was left behind, she did this amazing thing.
Back On The Shore
Letting The Zebras Reunite
Within a few seconds, the men were able to carry the baby back to shore and laid him carefully on the sand. Once they saved it, they needed to get back quickly to give the two zebras a chance to reunite. The mother immediately got out of the water. Then, she came close…
Letting The Zebras Reunite
Safe On The Shore
Now that the baby zebra was safe on the shore, the men rushed back into the water so that they were far from the anxious mother and they are safely away from her. She went near her baby to check whether he was all right. But that’s not all!
Safe On The Shore
Just Fine
The outcome for this baby foal would not have been as positive if it were in the wild. However, with help from humans, the mother and her baby would be just fine! Writing about the event, the Bioparc said that both the mother zebra and the baby are doing well. These are a few more details and pictures of the two zebras.
Just Fine
A Well-Deserved Applause
People at the zoo who witnessed the birth as well as the rescue broke into applause, and the crowd was quite big. Disaster was prevented, heroes received cheers, and La Nina was able to continue giving her baby boy a bath. The next photo shows both animals smiling at each other!
A Well-Deserved Applause
Learning A Thing Or Two
Both the mother zebra and her newborn, who has not been given a name yet, are doing well. The baby feeds frequently and he now knows that swimming is best left to adults. What’s more, he has learned how to show his mother that he is one beautiful baby. Looking at that smile will surely make you agree.
Learning A Thing Or Two
The Parents Of The Newborn
This baby zebra’s parents were not from the same country. Back in 2007, La Nina came to the Bioparc from Halle Zoo, which is located in Germany. The father of the baby, Zambe, came from Safari de Peaugres in France back in 2012. The boy probably got his adventurous spirit from his father…
The Parents Of The Newborn
Baby Zebras Are Pretty Heavy
The baby zebra might have looked tiny, but it definitely was not. Similar to all newborn foals, baby zebras are already developed when they are born, ready to go right into action. The newborn ones weigh roughly 70 pounds (nearly 32 kg)!
Baby Zebras Are Pretty Heavy
Older And Bigger
When zebras reach adulthood, they are a lot heavier and bigger! Fortunately, the two men had not been afraid of the size and they seemed to know how to deal with the mother, which might have gone crazy seeing the humans approaching her newborn…
Older And Bigger
All’s Well That Ends Well
Luckily for the striped fella, things ended well. He learned that only adults should go into the watering hole. La Nina’s boy might have had it rough at first, but he now has a healthy life while he lives together with his mother and the herd. The two zookeepers definitely had a hand in this…
All’s Well That Ends Well
Heroes
The baby zebra was very fortunate that he was supervised by the two brave rescuers who still helped him despite his size. They even put themselves at risk of the mother zebra hurting them! Anyway, let’s see how this baby is doing now!
Heroes
Thriving In The Bioparc
Bioparc Valencia wrote on their Facebook page that both the mother zebra and her baby are thriving at the enclosure together with the other zebras. Since the baby zebra is now around seven months, he is big enough to start learning how to swim. On the subject of swimming…
Thriving In The Bioparc
Mothers Keep Their Babies Safe
It does not matter what species they belong to, all moms want their babies to always be safe. We have one great example. Mother sea otters teach their baby pups how to swim on the first day they are in the world!
Mothers Keep Their Babies Safe
A Loving Mother
Thanks to Suzi Eszterhas, a nature photographer, we get to see this loving mother otter placing her pup on her tummy to keep him warm and above the water. After her nap, she thinks she should start with the first lesson…
A Loving Mother
Taking Care Of Her Pup
The mother otter even blew into the fur of her pup to clean it. Then, she floated with him peacefully in Monterey Bay’s busy harbor in California. This is where Eszterhas took the photos. Then, the photographer was shocked by what the otter did.
Taking Care Of Her Pup
”Be Useful, Human…”
The photographer was stunned when the mother otter brought her baby right next to the boat. Eszterhas said, “Right in front of me while she foraged for food.” She added that she felt like she was a babysitter!
”Be Useful, Human…”
Unforgettable Moment
Most sea otters who have pups are actually shy and do not usually go near humans. However, Eszterhas will never forget the adorable moment she experienced with this mother otter, who trusted the woman with her newborn.
