Diesel has been settling in well in his new home! Photo credits to Expedition Africa keeper Morgan.

Join us in welcoming Diesel, an 8-year-old male Grevy’s zebra, to our Expedition Africa loop!  

Diesel will be enjoying an extended summer vacation down here in Florida, as he’s been selected to pair up with our female zebras as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan for Grevy’s zebra. This program ensures a healthy and genetically diverse safeguard population of many endangered species in accredited facilities.  

Grevy’s zebras are endangered in their native range of Kenya and Ethiopia in part due to habitat loss from agricultural and commercial development. We hope to continue to be able to contribute to this species’ healthy population in human care.  

Diesel’s animal care team has been loving getting to know him. While he was a bit apprehensive when he first arrived, he quickly adjusted to his new space and keepers.  

“He is a very curious and excited zebra,” said Expedition Africa keeper Morgan. “He likes to see and be near keepers when they are cleaning or walking past his stall. He also gets very excited during training sets or when keepers are given him attention.” 

Diesel shows off his excitement by braying, a loud vocalization, or doing small jumps.   

The team has also discovered that Diesel is a very fast learner. He’s picked up several training behaviors, such as targeting, stepping on a scale for voluntary weights, practicing behaviors for hoof trims and more in just a few weeks!  

“I have enjoyed seeing him figure out new behaviors so quickly and being able to challenge him with more complex ones,” said Morgan. “I love that he already seems to have trust in his keepers and enjoys being around us.” 

One thing Diesel may like even more than spending time with his keepers is food!  

“Diesel loves enrichment devices more than any of our other zebras,” said Morgan. “He will get very excited when we give him a play ball stuffed with hay or enrichment items filled with treats. He will bray and use his nose to forcefully push the items around to get more food out.” 

He’s even been know to get down on his front legs and hold the items between his legs to get the most out of his enrichment.  

Diesel will continue adjusting to his behind-the-scenes habitat before officially meeting the ladies or walking onto the veldt. We’ll be sure to keep you updated when Diesel makes his public debut and has his official introduction with the other animals on the veldt.

 Brevard Zoo is an independent, not-for-profit organization that receives no recurring government funding for our operating costs. Your generous support enables us to continue to serve our community and continue our vital animal wellness, education and conservation programs.