Twin baby Mountain Goats born at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CMZoo) is welcoming two new babies to its family. Rocky Mountain goat mom, Lena, gave birth to twins on Sunday, May 19.
The twin kids were wobbling around on their hooves minutes after birth, calling out with loud voices, and bonding well with Lena, who is a patient parent, allowing the babies to climb on her when they are not nursing.
“Less than 24 hours after its birth, Baby #2 climbed on top of Lena, who patiently laid still as the little one climbed from her back end all the way to her head, where it slid gently around the back of her neck with its front legs on either side of her head,” said Animal Care Manager Joanna Husby. “We’ve got an adventurous one on our hands! We’re seeing both babies hit all the milestones for healthy kids, and we’re excited for everyone to meet them.”
Courtesy: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Photo is of Mountain Goat mom Lena and one of her babies. Courtesy: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Both kids and their mom. Courtesy: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The new Mountain Goat family.
The babies have not yet been named, but Baby #1 is a little smaller than Baby #2 and has a floppy left ear. Staff has not yet intervened to confirm the weight or sex of either kid, to allow ample time for the kids to bond with their mother. It is Zoo tradition for the babies to receive their names after 30 days.
“The babies are following Lena well and she’s comfortable moving to a different space, so we welcomed them outside for the first time today,” Husby said. “We have a side yard that has more suitable terrain for little hooves than our big yard with rocky cliffs, so they’ll find their footing there. My guess is that it won’t be long until they’re leaping and chasing all over the rocks. Having a twin means having a built-in play partner, and it’s going to be hard to do anything but watch them. Rocky Mountain goat babies are pure joy.”
CMZoo said it will share updates about the kids on their social media channels and in the Zoo’s newsletter, The Waterhole.
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