Summer in the African bush is certainly one of the most special times of the year to come on safari. It brings with it the promise of new life and the unique opportunity to witness some very intimate moments as several animals coincide the birth of the next generation with the beginning of the summer rains. The landscape transforms with vibrant colours and the sounds of newborns, offering a sense of renewal and hope. Each sighting of the newest additions to the Londolozi family is a reminder of the bush’s raw beauty and the perpetual cycle of life, making every encounter feel like a precious gift.
Take a moment to sit back and enjoy watching a summer storm rolling around at sunset.
The seasonal breeders of the bush steal the show as summer progresses. The once-quiet landscape begins to teem with the energy of new life Impala lambs. Wildbeest calves, warthog piglets and zebra foals taking center stage. These newborns, with their awkward yet endearing movements, bring a joyful vibrancy to the bush.
The first impala lambs of the season huddle together within a little ‘creche’.
Watching impala lambs settled in their little creches, wildebeest calves sticking close to their mothers like shadows, warthog piglets trotting around with their aerial-esque tails and zebra foals learning to navigate their new world quickly becomes a highlight for anyone who visits during this period of the year. These scenes of youthful exuberance and the bonds between mothers and their young highlight the incredible resilience and beauty of life in the bush.
Along with the rains has come a flurry of new life and one of those are wildebeest calves which are now all over the reserve. It’s such a special time of the year watching the newborns exploring their new habitat. This calf was suckled for a few minutes then carried on running around the herd.
On a recent afternoon drive, we set out to go and explore the open grasslands of Londolozi. We were treated to a very tender moment shared between a zebra mare and her foal. As we spotted the dazzle of zebra in the distance there was quite a commotion as a number of the individuals were incredibly vocal with their distinctive calls.
A dazzle of zebra pauses and gazes back at the vehicle from the open grasslands of Londolozi.
As the dazzle slowly began to disperse, we noticed a very wet and wobbly little foal standing beside its mother.
After having carried her foal for 12 months, the zebra mare paused to scan her surroundings for any potential threats before continuing to groom and clean her newly born foal of the remaining afterbirth.
The zebra mare was on high alert as the other members of the dazzle continued to call and circle the mother and her foal. Upon further inspection, we saw the mother grooming and cleaning the precious little foal and we realized that the calls of the other zebras were welcoming the birth of the newest family member of the dazzle.
Zebra mares will clean their foals of afterbirth in order to strengthen the bond between the two, stimulate circulation, and remove a strong scent that may attract predators and for general hygiene purposes.
We had just missed the actual birth of the tiny foal and as it stumbled its way around, sticking close to its mother’s side we noticed that the umbilical cord was still attached to the placenta that lay on the ground.
Remarkably, zebra foals will usually stand within 10 to 20 minutes after birth and will begin to successfully trot within the first hour.
After spending a few moments observing the mother clean her little one of the afterbirth, she turned her attention to the ground. Remarkably, we watched the mother proceed to stand on the umbilical cord as she nudged her foal away. This created the necessary tension to break her foal free and remove the umbilical cord. It was incredibly fascinating to see how the mother knew that she needed to be the catalyst in physically breaking the connection of the cord to move her foal off to safety.
Usually, the process of detaching the umbilical cord is quite natural and instinctive. Typically, as the foal drops from the mother or the movement of the newborn once it stands will facilitate the process.
Shortly after breaking free, the mother escorted her foal towards the rest of the dazzle to introduce the newest member of the family to the others. As they reached the thicket where the rest of the zebra were waiting in anticipation, they joyfully greeted the mother and foal and began to move deeper into the thickets where they could integrate into the safety of the dazzle.
Foals are born with a very soft, down coat which acts as insulation to help regulate their temperature and stay comfortable in varying weather conditions. As they mature, their coats become sleek and smooth as they gain greater control of their ability to thermoregulate.
Although we had missed the actual moment of the birth, it was incredibly special to bear witness to the powerful bond between a mother and her foal. Observing scenes such as this on safari is incredibly moving and it reminds us that we are all a part of something so much bigger. It was an absolute privilege to have been accepted into the intimacy of the little foal’s exciting new world. A moment that we will never forget.
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on An Intimate Moment With A Zebra Mother And Her Newborn Foal