Markhor kid born at the zoo
/ Courtesy Rosamond Gifford Zoo
SYRACUSE -- The Rosamond Gifford Zoo announced the birth of a markhor, a member of the goat family.
It is the first markhor kid born at the zoo in nine years. The kid was born on July 20 and weighed 5.8 pounds.
“The Rosamond Gifford Zoo has long been committed to international markhor conservation efforts,” said Ted Fox, Rosamond Gifford Zoo director. “We’ve been working on expanding our herd over the past year, and the addition of some younger animals is allowing us to make valuable contributions to the North American population.”
According to the zoo, markhor is the largest member of the goat family. They can grow to be up to 45 inches tall and weigh up to 250 pounds.
Markhor are part of a Species Survival Plan, an effort between the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and zoos around the world to help ensure their survival, says the zoo. Markhor have been listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 1994 with an estimated 2,500 living in the wild.
Markhors come primarily from Afghanistan and Pakistan. They have been difficult to study because of what's been going on in those countries.
The zoo plans on adding a few more of these animals in the near future.
