LA Zoo Celebrates New Births, Including Rare Peninsular Pronghorns

Two rare Peninsular pronghorns, male twins born at the Los Angeles Zoo

Two rare Peninsular pronghorns male Twins

Two rare Peninsular pronghorns

Two rare Peninsular pronghorns, male twins born at the Los Angeles Zoo on March 30, are fed at the zoo on April 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Only 250 antelope-like Peninsular pronghorns are believed to exist in the wild. Native to the Vizcaino Desert in Baja California, they are one of the most endangered animals in Mexico. Pronghorns are the second fastest animal on Earth, next to African cheetahs in short distance running. For distances of more than a quarter-mile, pronghorns would beat all other animals. Newborn pronghorns begin walking within 30 minutes of birth and outrun humans within four days. Adults can run up to 70-miles-per-hour and maintain speeds between 40- and 60-miles-per-hour, without showing signs of distress, for an hour or more. This is the second time in a year that Peninsular pronghorns have given birth at the LA Zoo, the only U.S. institution to breed them so far.

LA Zoo Celebrates New Births, Including Rare Peninsular Pronghorns

Two rare Peninsular pronghorns, male twins born at the Los Angeles Zoo on March 30, are seen at the zoo on April 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Only 250 antelope-like Peninsular pronghorns are believed to exist in the wild. Native to the Vizcaino Desert in Baja California, they are one of the most endangered animals in Mexico. Pronghorns are the second fastest animal on Earth, next to African cheetahs in short distance running. For distances of more than a quarter-mile, pronghorns would beat all other animals. Newborn pronghorns begin walking within 30 minutes of birth and outrun humans within four days. Adults can run up to 70-miles-per-hour and maintain speeds between 40- and 60-miles-per-hour, without showing signs of distress, for an hour or more. This is the second time in a year that Peninsular pronghorns have given birth at the LA Zoo, the only U.S. institution to breed them so far.