Diesel remains in a behind-the-scenes habitat as he continues to adjust to his new surroundings
Diesel, an 8-year-old male Grevy’s zebra, recently arrived at Brevard Zoo’s Expedition Africa area and is settling into his new surroundings as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan. (Brevaed Zoo image)
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — A new resident is making himself at home at Brevard Zoo, and animal care staff say he is already winning over keepers with his curious personality and enthusiasm for training and enrichment.
Diesel, an 8-year-old male Grevy’s zebra, recently arrived at the zoo’s Expedition Africa area and is settling into his new surroundings as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.
The Species Survival Plan is a cooperative conservation program designed to maintain healthy and genetically diverse populations of endangered species in accredited zoological facilities.
Diesel has been selected to spend an extended stay in Florida, where he is expected to eventually be paired with the zoo’s female zebras.
Grevy’s zebras are classified as endangered in their native range of Kenya and Ethiopia.
Conservationists cite habitat loss caused by agricultural expansion and commercial development as major threats to the species’ survival in the wild.
Brevard Zoo officials said Diesel was initially cautious when he arrived, but quickly adapted to his new environment and began building relationships with his care team.
“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 giving him attention.”
According to his caretakers, Diesel often expresses his excitement by braying loudly or making small jumps around his habitat.
His rapid progress in training has also impressed staff.
In just a few weeks, Diesel has learned several husbandry behaviors, including targeting, voluntarily stepping onto a scale for weight checks, and participating in training exercises that help prepare him for routine hoof care.
“I have enjoyed seeing him figure out new behaviors so quickly and being able to challenge him with more complex ones,” Morgan said.
“I love that he already seems to have trust in his keepers and enjoys being around us.”
While Diesel enjoys interacting with his caretakers, staff say his favorite activity may be mealtime.
“Diesel loves enrichment devices more than any of our other zebras,” Morgan said.
“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.”
Keepers have even observed Diesel kneeling on his front legs and holding enrichment items between his legs to access every last treat.
For now, Diesel remains in a behind-the-scenes habitat as he continues to adjust to his new surroundings.
Zoo officials said he has not yet been introduced to the female zebras or the other animals that share the Expedition Africa veldt.
Those introductions, along with Diesel’s public debut, are expected to come later after animal care staff determine he is fully acclimated to his new home.
Until then, keepers say the energetic zebra continues to impress them daily as he settles into life on Florida’s Space Coast and prepares for his important role in helping support the future of his endangered species.
