COAL VALLEY, Ill. — On Aug. 20, Niabi Zoo welcomed four new Fennec fox cubs, adding to one of the country's most successful breeding programs for the animals.
The new cubs had a gender reveal party in mid-September, revealing three girls and one boy. Kits open their eyes around two weeks after being born and their ears slowly unfold over their first six weeks of life. The new babies will get their names in the coming months, as their personalities start to come out.
Niabi says the parents, Gourdie and Dahlia, are doing great.
Over the last four years, three pairs of Fennec parents have welcomed 19 successful births throughout six different litters at Niabi. Recently, a fourth breeding pair was introduced at the zoo.
"We are hoping their relationship develops and joins this amazing success story for our animal family," Joel Vanderbush, curator of conservation and education at Niabi Zoo, said.
Niabi is a sustainability partner with a managed breeding program for Fennec foxes. The program includes more than 40 other zoos throughout the U.S. and Canada. Niabi has participated in the program for the last five years.
In that time, Niabi's fox pairs have been some of the most successful in the country, according to Niabi officials.
Fennecs are the smallest of all fox species. One of their most recognizable traits is their exceptionally large ears. These are used to locate prey deep underground in their native desert terrain. The animals also use their ears to dissipate heat from their bodies.
PHOTO GALLERY: Meet the fennec fox family at Niabi Zoo
The foxes are native to North African deserts. They hunt small mammals, reptiles, invertebrates and plant material. In the wild, Fennec foxes get all of their necessary water from their food. But at the zoo, they're given dishes of water to drink from.
"These endearing small members of the fox family are favorites among our staff and guests," Vanderbush said.
Niabi Zoo is currently offering Fall Zoo Classes every other Saturday. These are for children ages 4-5, 6-9 and 10-13. Topics include:
- Fall for Enrichment on Oct. 5
- Spooky Species on Oct. 19
- Migratory Movements on Nov. 2
- Frosty Flexibility on Nov. 16
- Holiday Tails on Dec. 7
You can sign your child up for the Fall Zoo Classes here.
The zoo is also welcoming Todd Lehmen from Wildlife Protection Solutions for Niabi's upcoming Conservation Speaker Series on Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Lehmen's presentation will focus on using technology to save species and WPS's global conservation work.
The public can sign up for the Conservation Speaker Series here.
Niabi is open Tuesday through Sunday through Oct. 27. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the last entry at 4 p.m.
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