first babirusa born at tampa's lowry park zoo now on exhibit

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FIRST BABIRUSA BORN AT TAMPA’S LOWRY PARK ZOO NOW ON EXHIBIT
First Litter <strong>at</strong> Tampa Zoo Arrived Just After Mother’s Day
TAMPA, Fla. (June 7, 2012) – A tiny <strong>babirusa</strong> piglet, weighing about one pound <strong>at</strong> birth, is <strong>now</strong>
on exhibit with his mother “Myrtle” in the Zoo’s Asian Gardens habit<strong>at</strong> area. The Zoo’s <strong>first</strong>
<strong>babirusa</strong> litter arrived May 13 overnight (Mother’s Day). A second piglet <strong>born</strong> in the same litter
did not survive.
The babirsa birth is the <strong>first</strong> for the Zoo, and a significant conserv<strong>at</strong>ion milestone for the
species with fewer than 50 animals in the managed popul<strong>at</strong>ion. The Zoo’s <strong>babirusa</strong>s are
members of the Associ<strong>at</strong>ion of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Wild Pig, Peccary & Hippo Taxon
Advisory Group, designed to support the conserv<strong>at</strong>ion of select wildlife species <strong>at</strong> risk of
extinction.
Now three weeks old, the male new<strong>born</strong> nurses routinely and is well-bonded with mom.
The pair is on exhibit for limited hours as the piglet grows and gains strength. The Zoo has two
additional <strong>babirusa</strong>s – f<strong>at</strong>her “Toomey” and an older female named “Rosie.”
“With just 20 viable breeding pairs of this endangered species in the managed
popul<strong>at</strong>ion, each birth is extremely important in our efforts to sustain its viability,” noted Dr. Larry
Killmar, VP and director of animal science and conserv<strong>at</strong>ion. “We are proud to be one of just 14
AZA institutions to have the opportunity to particip<strong>at</strong>e in this program.”
Adult male <strong>babirusa</strong>s have a distinct appearance with lower and upper tusks (canines),
resembling the antlers of a deer. The name <strong>babirusa</strong> is transl<strong>at</strong>ed as “pig deer.” Unlike most
pigs, which have large litters, female <strong>babirusa</strong>s have an average of just 1-2 per litter. Piglets are
vocal and active within a few days after birth.
The Asian Gardens habit<strong>at</strong> area, where the <strong>babirusa</strong>s are housed, was made possible
by funding from the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

About Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is oper<strong>at</strong>ed by the Lowry Park Zoological Society, an independent
501(c)(3) charitable organiz<strong>at</strong>ion committed to excellence in educ<strong>at</strong>ion, conserv<strong>at</strong>ion and
research. Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is accredited by the Associ<strong>at</strong>ion of Zoos and Aquariums
(AZA), and has been named the No. 1 <strong>zoo</strong> in America by both Parents magazine (2009) and
Child magazine (2004). The Zoo is loc<strong>at</strong>ed <strong>at</strong> 1101 W. Sligh Avenue in Tampa, one mile west of
I-275 (exit 48) and is open seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with extended
hours on select nights during special events. Zoo daytime admission prices are: adult - $23.95,
seniors (60+) - $21.95, children ages 3-11 - $18.95, and children 2 and under are free. Daytime
admission is value-priced to include unlimited amusement rides. Parking is free. For more
inform<strong>at</strong>ion, visit LowryParkZoo.com. Also find the Zoo on Facebook.
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