Baby Goats, Gators, and Your Stone Zoo Update

Call this a tale of goats and gators.

First, what you can see right now. There are two new kids on the block at Stone Zoo with the recent birth of markhor twins, a mountain goat species native to the Himalayas.

The goat kids were born on May 12 to parents Piddy Pat and Tyrion and can be seen on exhibit within the Himalayan Highlands.

“Piddy Pat is a very attentive and experienced mother to the twins, who have been nursing well and appear strong and active. As with any new birth, we are closely monitoring the mother and babies,” said Pete Costello, Assistant Curator of Stone Zoo, who added, “The twins are agile and exploring the rocky terrain within their exhibit, which mimics the landscape of their native habitat.”

Zoo New England participates in the Markhor Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is a cooperative, inter-zoo program coordinated nationally through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). SSPs are designed to maintain genetically diverse and demographically stable captive populations of species. This birth is the result of a recommended breeding.

As for the gators, they're penciled in to arrive in Stoneham Monday. Of course, they were supposed to arrive last Monday as well so no promises. Just remember, alligators are unpredictable and so is their arrival (from South Carolina). When the two gators arrive, they'll be next to the duck pond.

And take a look at the continuing work on the new Caribbean Coast. The Bush Dogs are in house and getting ready for their debut. The construction fencing is down and visitors can see the exhibit in its final stages. It's slated to open on June 7. The flamingos are expected to move from their current location into their new home some time next week.

Photos courtesy Stone Zoo and Bob Holmes