It was a heart-stopping moment at a zoo in eastern Spain as zookeepers and visitors looked on in horror when one newborn zebra foal stumbled into the water minutes after being born. Fortunately, the zookeepers were on hand to save it from drowning.
In early September 2018, a dramatic video clip was uploaded on YouTube showing a newborn zebra walking right into a watering hole in an enclosure at Bioparc Valencia zoo.
Posted by Bioparc Valencia on Monday, September 10, 2018
It was supposed to be a joyous moment for the zookeepers and visitors as they watched a mare give birth.
After the foal’s umbilical cord was bitten off by its mother, the foal soon began to take its first few steps forward.
A foal will usually be able to stand on its own about 15 minutes after it is born. This mobility is important to its survival, especially in the wild.
Posted by Bioparc Valencia on Monday, September 10, 2018
Zoo visitors watched intently as the foal attempted to walk. Its legs were still unsteady, so it stumbled a few times.
When it managed to finally stand up, the young foal fell over into the water inside the enclosure.
In the video clip, the foal can be heard letting out panicked sounds as its mother, LaNina, walked over after seeing it go deeper into the water.
Posted by Bioparc Valencia on Monday, September 10, 2018
Fortunately, on the other side of the watering hole, the zookeepers, who were on standby, waded chest-deep into the water to pull the drowning foal out.
They quickly picked up the foal and carried it back to dry land, and then they stepped aside as the distressed zebra mother approached to check on her baby.
After the incident, it was reported that both the mother and baby zebra were doing well.
This happy moment might have turned into tragedy without external help. What a close call for this baby zebra!
Watch the video below:
