There are only ten southern hairy-nosed wombats living in four zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in North America. Now, guests visiting the Brookfield Zoo will get to see several of these rare marsupials, including a female joey born February 18th, 2012.
The soon-to-be-named joey is the fourth offspring of 12-year-old Kambora, who was born at San Diego Zoo, and the second for Wilbur, 20, who was wild-born in Australia.
Although the joey was born more than eight months ago, it wasn't until mid-September that zookeepers were able to get a good look at the youngster because, like all marsupials, wombat joeys develop in a pouch.
Immediately after birth, the tiny joey--which was about the size of a bumblebee--crawled into Kambora's pouch, where she has been sleeping and nursing to get all the necessary nutrients she needs to fully develop. Now predominantly out of her mom's pouch, the inquisitive nearly 6.5-pound joey has been exploring her new surroundings.
In 1969, Brookfield Zoo received three southern hairy-nosed wombats and, in 1974, became the first zoo outside of Australia to successfully breed the species in professional care. Since then, there have been 16 successful wombat births at Brookfield Zoo.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:33:23 GMT
A Merrillville police officer shot a man Monday afternoon when the two got into a fight in the parking lot of the Merrillville Planned Parenthood office.
A Merrillville police officer shot a man Monday afternoon when the two got into a fight in the parking lot of the Merrillville Planned Parenthood office.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:52 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:52:14 GMT
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage.
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage.
