29 August 2011

Werribee Open Range Zoo is thrilled to announce the arrival of their latest zoo baby - a healthy Scimitar Horned Oryx calf named Manyevu, which means thorn in Swahili. The calf was born a few weeks ago but was kept well hidden by his protective mother, Ruby. However, he's now up and about and roaming the Upper Savannah.

Keepers say Ruby is doing a great job of mothering her newborn and Manyevu has begun walking confidently, and is integrating well into the herd. The beautiful sunny weather has seen him more active over the past few days.

You can meet Manyevu and Ruby and many other open range herds in the zoo's Upper Savannah on the Safari Bus Tour route.

Scimitar Horned Oryx are extinct in the wild. There have not been many births of this species in the region recently, so this birth is exciting news.

Zoos Victoria is a not-for-profit zoo-based conservation organization striving to enhance biodiversity and protect habitats.