Hogle Zoo has named its new baby zebra and, not surprisingly, his keepers have chosen a name that starts with Z.
After receiving “thousands” of suggestions from members of the community — including more than 2,600 comments on the Hogle Zoo Facebook page — they selected Zion.
“We also love Zion National Park,” said African Savanna keeper Michelle Olandese. “Wherever Zion ends up with the [Species Survival Plan], he’ll have a connection to Utah.”
(The Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan is designed to increase the population of endangered and threatened species by inter-zoo transfers of animals.)
According to the zoo, one of the meanings of Zion is “highest point.” Zion is a Hartmann’s mountain zebra — a threatened species that lives in South Africa at altitudes higher than Salt Lake City.
Zion, his mother, Ziva, and the zoo’s other zebras can be seen at the zoo, which is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, tickets must be purchased online in advance.
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