Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in full spring swing with babies; Thompson’s Gazelle at four weeks old
This adirable baby Thompson's gazelle is doing well with human caregivers at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Yesterday it was the baby cheetah who’s recently joined the family at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and today, a 4 week old Thompson’s Gazelle takes her turn in getting shown off. Being hand raised and fed this little doll adds to the spring baby swing at Busch Gardens with her adorably big eyes, large ears, and sweet disposition (ok, guessing on that one, but come on – she looks wonderfully sweet!)
The the calf refused to take milk from her mom, the park’s animal care team stepped in to play mommy – they started bottle feeding her and this little whipper snapper is up to five bottle feedings a day. Weighing in daily as well (hey, its for her healthy checks, but she is a lady – daily? Who wants to know their weight daily!) she’s already gained a healthy two pounds.
A Thompson’s Gazelle, also called “tommies,” she is part of a migratory species that make up the vast Serengeti migration. Like zebra and wildebeest, the folks at Busch Gardens tell us the tommies can reach more than 500,000 per migration.
Five bottle feedings again have this little whipper snapper growing and gaining weight. She's not on display yet, but will one day join her friends on the Plains at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Because she’s being hand raised, this little girl will remain in the park’s back area until she’s healthy enough to join the herd of Thompson’s gazelles already on display in the 65-acre Serengeti Plain at Busch Gardens. You can see the herd – and one day this little sweetie – from the Nairobi Walkway and get close-up views on the Serengeti Express Railway.
