Rare goat born at Miller Park Zoo

[May 29, 2012]  BLOOMINGTON -- A rare breed of goat at the Miller Park Zoo is the latest animal to give birth at the facility. Bella, one of the zoo's San Clemente goats, has given birth to a kid.

The goats are native to San Clemente Island, one of the Channel Islands off the coast of California. The goats are listed as a critically endangered heritage breed. The global population of San Clemente Island goats is under 500.

Miller Park Zoo is home to four adult San Clemente Island goats: three females, Bella, Valencia and Breeze; and one male, Poseidon. Each of the adults is 1 to 2 years old.

The captive birth of this rare goat breed is the second consecutive year kids were born at the zoo. Last year, the births were a first for the state of Illinois. Only a small number of zoos exhibit San Clemente goats. Miller Park Zoo is the only accredited facility in the state to exhibit this breed.

The animals' characteristics include a smaller size; this breed of goat is relatively small, but larger than dwarf breeds. They are typically red or tan with black markings.

The kid born to Bella is the only goat to be born this spring. Valencia and Breeze were brought to the zoo after the breeding season ended. The goal of Miller Park Zoo's breeding program is that all three adult females will give birth next year.

The kid is a female and can be seen on exhibit in the Children's Zoo.

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Online: Miller Park Zoo

[Text from file received from Bloomington Parks & Recreation]