Historic birth at Darling Downs Zoo

Our local zoo welcomes a very special guest into their fraternity.

BABY NEWS: The two-week-old addax nicknamed Darcy enjoys a rest in her home at the Darling Downs Zoo. Darcy is the first addax to be born in Queensland. Picture: Sean Teuma

DARLING Downs Zoo has a recent habit of creating history and this has continued, with an exciting new addition to the array of animals.

In a first for Queensland, an addax was conceived in the Sunshine State.

The baby, nicknamed "Darcy" has graced the Darling Downs Zoo, after successful breeding between mother Bridget and father Adam.

Bridget was brought in from Werribee Zoo in Victoria, while Adam made the trip from Monarto Zoo in South Australia.

Zookeeper Leisa Cornford said the birth of little Darcy was hopefully the first of many within the zoo.

"The addax is extinct in the wild and endangered elsewhere," Miss Cornford said.

"Around the world they are trying to increase their population.

"It is exciting to be able to preserve a species like this in our zoo."

Addax parents Bridget and Adam at the Darling Downs Zoo. Picture: Sean Teuma

While the process wasn't the quickest one, the result they were after eventually happened.

"It can take a little while for it to happen," Miss Cornford said.

"Adam tended to get a little bit frisky but eventually there were successful mountings.

"After three months, Bridget's belly got nice and round and she was a bit moodier as well."

Two weeks ago, the zoo welcomed the birth of baby Darcy.

Miss Cornford said she was able to settle into her surroundings well.

"It hasn't taken her too long to settle," she said.

"She is getting to her feet now and getting around inside.

"The addaxes usually stay with the giraffes but we will wait until she is a little bit bigger. We don't want her to get trampled.

"We try and make sure they have plenty of food and water and there is nothing too scary out there for them."

As well as being the first birth of an addax in Queensland, this was mother Bridget's first foray into parenthood.

Miss Cornford said it was a relief to see her adapt to the role.

"There was a bit of a concern about her being a first-time mother," she said,

"We didn't know how she would accept the baby.

"We're happy though, as there have been no problems with her motherhood.

"She has taken right to it."

In order to best preserve the species, instances of inbreeding are minimised, which will see a changeover of addaxes within the Darling Downs Zoo.

Miss Cornford said Adam would be sent elsewhere to continue his good work.

"Adam will be sent to another zoo and a new boy willcome into our zoo," she said.

"This is in the hope to have a few more babies.

"We hope Darcy will meet an unrelated boyfriend in the future."