Update on Baby Cow

Our baby Red Devon Cow is about three months old now, and he is doing very well. He is much larger, and his horns are starting to come in. He loves to eat hay. I have not seen him nursing for a while now, so he is probably weaned from his mother. She is still very protective - see the look she's giving me in the photo below!











Closeup of
Momma Cow

New Mule at the Plantation Barn

We have a new white mule at the Lowcountry Zoo. She can be seen at the Plantation Barn. Some of you may remember Polly, our white mule that has retired to a grass pasture (and is lovingly spoiled by vet technicians).

Mules are a cross between a male donkey and a female horse. Mules generally cannot have babies of their own because they are a mix of two different species.

Mules were used as labor animals when this property was a rice plantation. They are hard-working, but will not overwork themselves or put themselves in a dangerous situation. This has led to the belief that all mules are stubborn.

Spanish Goats

The Lowcountry Zoo now has two Spanish Goats, and we are expecting up to eight more in the future. These goats were living on an island in South Carolina, and conservation scientists were concerned about their survival. Brookgreen Gardens has a similar landscape to their original home, and the goats seem to have adjusted very well.

Spanish Goats are recognized by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Using DNA, scientists proved that this breed originally came over with the Spanish explorers 500 years ago. There are only about 8,000 goats left. Brookgreen Gardens is excited to be a part of this conservation effort.

For more information, please visit http://www.spanishgoats.org/.

Deer Fawns

The Lowcountry Zoo had another wonderful (but time-consuming) surprise this month. We have 13 new baby deer! The fawns were born in the main deer enclosure, and four of the female fawns are out on display. The deer may not always be visible because the mother tends to hide her babies from view. In the wild, the rest of the herd moves away from the babies. That way, if predators are attracted to the herd, they will not find the babies with the group.





Nine of the fawns are being hand-raised by zookeepers. At first, they needed a bottle every few hours - even overnight! Right now, most of them are on three bottles a day. Each feeding takes the zookeeper about 45 minutes. This includes making the formula, warming it up, feeding each deer an individual amount, recording the amount eaten, and cleaning the bottles. When they are old enough, the fawns will join the main herd on display.

Update on Eagle Eggs

Our female bald eagle laid two eggs this season, but unfortunately neither egg was viable. One egg broke in the nest, and the second egg was removed by zookeepers after plenty of time had passed. Both eggs were not fertile. We are still happy that our eagles had the resources and desire to nest.

This photo was taken during last year's annual examination. We do an annual examination on all of our zoo animals to make sure that they are healthy. We also use the opportunity to give vaccines (if needed) and trim nails and beaks.

Take a look at those talons! Eagles hunt with their feet, so their talons are their main weapon.

Please come and welcome...

Please come and welcome the newest member of our Brookgreen Gardens family! On April 26th, zookeepers were pleasantly surprised to find a new baby cow in their pasture. It is a male Red Devon calf, and it was probably born in early morning hours.



The Lowcountry Zoo does not exhibit any male cows, but the mother was recently loaned in from a larger herd.



The new calf has been sleeping, learning how to walk, sleeping, nursing, exploring his new home, sleeping, meeting his neighbors, and sleeping. It is hard work to be a baby cow.

Did you know that the mother cow has horns? Red Devon cattle are a very old breed. In heritage breed cattle, it is common for the females to have horns.

Black-crowned Night Heron Chicks

The Black-crowned Night Heron chicks are out and about. They are exploring the world beyond their nest, and some of them can even fly short distances.

The chicks are still depending on the mothers for their food. One unfortunate mother has four mouths to feed! Her job is difficult considering that the chicks are almost the same size as the adults.

These chicks will keep their brown speckled plumage for about 2 years. After that, they will have the black, gray, and white plumage of the adults.

Come and see our new animals at the Lowcountry Zoo! The Mother Nature's Cafe tour runs twice a day in April, and the guide will feed the aviary birds on the tour. The Mother Nature's Cafe tour is free with garden admission.