CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO WELCOMES TWO ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT KIDS – Two bouncy, squeaky and fluffy kids joined the CMZoo family on Sun., May 19, when second-time Rocky Mountain goat mom, Lena, gave birth to her first set of twins.
The double bundle of joy were on their hooves, taking their wobbly first steps within minutes. Both kids have nursed and continue to bond well with their attentive mom, who is moonlighting as a jungle gym.
“Less than 24 hours after its birth, Baby #2 climbed on top of Lena, who patiently laid still as the little one climbed from her back end all the way to her head, where it slid gently around the back of her neck with its front legs on either side of her head,” says Joanna Husby, animal care manager. “We’ve got an adventurous one on our hands! We’re seeing both babies hit all the milestones for healthy kids, and we’re excited for everyone to meet them.”
Baby #1, in the foreground of the photo above, is slightly smaller than Baby #2, and has a distinctively adorable floppy left ear. Baby #1 seems calmer than Baby #2, so far. Both are very vocal, making loud calls to mom, which are catching the attention of their 2-year-old sister, Blanca, and 14-year-old ‘grannie goat,’ Yazhi, from separate yards. 10-year-old dad, Albert, who is sharing space with Blanca, hasn’t seemed to notice, which is very on-brand for laid-back Albert.
Staff were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the kids, whose gestation lasted the full 180 days expected for a Rocky Mountain goat pregnancy. On Sunday, staff noticed Lena was in active labor around 11:15 a.m. Baby #1 was born at 12:09 p.m. and took its first steps 9 minutes later. At 12:34 p.m., while Baby #1 was nursing, Baby #2 was born. Baby #2 took its first steps at 1:02 p.m.
Because both kids are nursing and bonding well with Lena, staff have not intervened, so their weights and sexes have not been confirmed. Following Zoo tradition, they’ll get names after 30 days.
“Lena was a great mom to Blanca, her first baby, and she’s proving to know just what to do with these two,” Joanna says. “She did look a bit surprised to see the second baby arrive, which is understandable considering no one told her she was pregnant with twins!”
Twins aren’t uncommon for Rocky Mountain goats after a first pregnancy. Big sister, Blanca, seems very interested in the new sounds and smells in the barn. For the goats’ safety and comfort — and taking Blanca’s bold and energetic nature into account — their introduction to Big Sis may take a while. The twins are likely to meet calm-natured Albert next. But first, they’re exploring outside with Mom.
“The babies are following Lena well and she’s comfortable moving to a different spaces, so we welcomed them outside for the first time today,” Joanna says. “We have a side yard that has more suitable terrain for little hooves than our big yard with rocky cliffs, so they’ll find their footing there. My guess is that it won’t be long until they’re leaping and chasing all over the rocks. Having a twin means having a built-in play partner, and it’s going to be hard to do anything but watch them. Rocky Mountain goat babies are pure joy.”
The kids are the fifth and sixth babies born at CMZoo this season, along with two wallaby joeys in Australia Walkabout and two meerkat pups in Encounter Africa.
CMZoo will share updates on the kids on the Zoo’s social media channels and in the Zoo’s newsletter, The Waterhole.
About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s mountain Zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. In 2024, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #5 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #2 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s goal to help guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Since 2008, CMZoo’s Quarters for Conservation program has raised more than $5 million dedicated to frontline conservation efforts around the world. Of the 237 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just a few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.