Current status of Grevy's Zebra and Great White Pelican
July 10, 2026
On March 18th of this year (2026), Grevy's Zebra named "Mindy" arrived at the zoo from Kyoto City Zoo. The following day, she met a male zebra named "Nanato" through the fence. Nanato had also arrived at the zoo from Kyoto City Zoo in December 2025. The two are a pair that have bred together at Kyoto City Zoo, and they were seen showing interest in each other immediately upon their reunion.
To help Mindy get used to her new environment and her room where she spends the nights, we first conducted free-roaming practice in the sub-paddock adjacent to the animal enclosure. About a week after her arrival, Nana began waiting in front of Mindy's sub-paddock for her to come out, and we observed her greeting Mindy with loud cries whenever she came out of her room.
After determining that Mindy had become sufficiently accustomed to her new environment, the two began living together in the large enclosure on April 22nd. From the first day of cohabitation, Nanato showed a strong interest in Mindy, exhibiting behaviors such as chasing her and attempting to mount her. On April 29th, the first successful mating was confirmed, and similar behavior continued for about a week afterward.
Grevy's Zebra are a species that can breed year-round, and their estrus cycle is said to be about 30 days, meaning they will go into estrus at approximately 30-day intervals unless they become pregnant. However, since Mindy did not return to estrus in June, the month after mating with Nanato, and there has been an increasing trend in her food intake, we are observing her in the hope that she may be pregnant.
The gestation period for Grevy's Zebra is approximately 420 days. If all goes well, we may be able to see a baby zebra next early summer. Nana and Mindy continue to be seen running around together and foraging side by side, showing their close bond.
Also, on April 1st, Giraffe Great White Pelican Grevy's Zebra added to the savanna area exhibit, bringing the total number of animals to Scimitar-horned Oryx. Great White Pelican had been kept out of the exhibit during the winter due to measures against avian influenza, but was returned to the large enclosure once the situation stabilized.
The flock of Great White Pelican has grown to 12 birds in total, consisting of 3 females and 9 males, thanks to the addition of individuals received from Ueno Zoo and Hakkeijima Sea Paradise last year. We had hoped to observe breeding behavior between May and June, when molting begins, but this season the molting period has arrived without any confirmed breeding activity.
On the other hand, their range of movement is steadily expanding, and we have observed them entering the newly constructed nesting platform in Pelican Pond after the savanna area construction for the first time, which we see as a positive change. We will continue to work on creating an environment that will lead to successful breeding.
[Tama Zoo North Garden]