Growing Antelope Herds

The antelope population on the African Plains at the NC Zoo has grown to about 50. That is about halfway to the animal division’s goal for the 30-acre exhibit, General Curator Ken Reininger said this morning.

Growth will come from breeding and acquisitions from other zoos. The kudu and the lechewe will be the main breeders.

The antelope join seven southern white rhinos (two males were sent elsewhere in 2008 as they approached maturity) and various African plains birds on the huge exhibit.