Sable Antelopes Born at Disney's Animal Kingdom

WDW Public Affairs - Walt Disney World Animal Programs recently welcomed two healthy baby sable antelopes to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The first, a female calf, was born on Monday, March 12, weighing 39 pounds, and the second female calf was born on Wednesday, March 14, weighing 41 pounds. The second calf born is a second-generation Disney’s Animal Kingdom calf - her mother was born at the park in 1999.

Sable antelopes are typically found in the eastern part of southern Africa, inhabiting savannah woodlands and grasslands. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to nine of these antelopes, which can usually be found roaming the west savannah. The mothers and new calves currently are being kept out of sight to give them time to bond with each other and to get acquainted with the other members of the herd in a controlled atmosphere.

Animal Programs will monitor the calves to ensure they gain strength and start to consistently follow their mothers around. If everything progresses normally, Guests on Kilimanjaro Safaris should soon see some spring additions to the west savannah.

Although sable antelope are listed by the World Conservation Union as Lower Risk/Conservation Dependent, there are various antelope species worldwide that are threatened or endangered. The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF) provides support to various organizations for the study and protection of the world's wildlife and ecosystems with more than $285,000 directed to antelope conservation since 1998.