Visitors can see 3 new animals in their outdoor habitats at the Milwaukee County Zoo

There are three new animals to meet at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

On April 23, Japanese macaque Rikka gave birth to a new baby. According to a Facebook post by the zoo, the animal care team is observing the two animals from a distance and they seem to be doing great. The sex of the new baby will be determined at a later date. Visitors might be able to catch a glimpse of mom and baby on Macaque Island.

Japanese macaque, Rikka, tends to her new baby, born in April 2024, at the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Japanese macaque, Rikka, tends to her new baby, born in April 2024, at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Also newly viewable to the public are two animals that arrived at the zoo in October.

Nyota, a 2-year-old Eastern bongo, arrived in Milwaukee from the Dallas Zoo on Oct. 26, according to an announcement from the zoo. She completed the standard 30-day quarantine required of new animals and has been living in the indoor Impala Barn with the zoo's other female Eastern bongos, Zuri and Sydney.

Nyota, a 2-year-old Eastern bongo, arrived at the Milwaukee County Zoo in October 2023.
Nyota, a 2-year-old Eastern bongo, arrived at the Milwaukee County Zoo in October 2023.

Now, all three Eastern bongos can be seen by visitors in the African Forest habitat. The zoo notes that Nyota is recognizable since she is the smallest of the trio and has the shortest horns.

Frida, a 5-year-old Baird's tapir, arrived in Milwaukee on Oct. 3 from the Houston Zoo. Like Nyota, she completed her 30-day quarantine and was given access to her indoor habitat. However, unlike Nyota, she has not been introduced to her fellow Baird's tapir, Iibu, a 6-year-old male. According to the zoo's announcement, that's because Baird's tapirs are typically solitary. The announcement added, "However, once they meet, and if they seem to prefer each other's company, breeding could be a possibility."

Frida and Iibu rotate their time in the outdoor habitat.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County Zoo welcomes 3 new animals

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