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MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA) — An endangered Banteng was born at Zoo Miami on Friday, the zoo announced.
Phyllis, the mother, went into labor on Friday afternoon and gave birth as visitors got the chance to watch.
According to the zoo, when an animal goes into labor, they are provided access to their secluded off-exhibit area, but Phyllis decided she wanted to have her baby in front of the public.
On Saturday, Zoo Miami’s Animal Health team worked alongside the Animal Science team to confirm the sex of the newborn, the weight, and other baseline data.
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Credit: Ron Magill/Zoo Miami -
Credit: Ron Magill/Zoo Miami -
Credit: Ron Magill/Zoo Miami -
Credit: Ron Magill/Zoo Miami -
Credit: Ron Magill/Zoo Miami -
Credit: Ron Magill/Zoo Miami -
Credit: Ron Magill/Zoo Miami -
Credit: Ron Magill/Zoo Miami -
Credit: Ron Magill/Zoo Miami
According to the zoo, the calf is a male and weighs over 52 pounds.
The calf is back in the habitat with the rest of the herd.
Zoo Miami said Bantengs are a highly endangered wild cow that is found in isolated areas of Southeast Asia and Indonesia.
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There are believed to be fewer than 8,000 left in the wild.
According to Zoo Miami, the wild cows are born with a red coat before they develop white stockings and rumps within their first year.
Males eventually change from a chestnut red color to an almost black color when they reach sexual maturity, Zoo Miami said.
Banteng’s biggest threats are habitat loss, hunting, and the introduction of disease from domestic cattle.
