Officials from the Memphis Zoo today announced the birth of a baby African spotted genet, the first of its kind to be born at the Memphis Zoo.
The staff at the zoo has named her Josie, and she was born to adult male JoJo and adult female Jennet, who was being monitored by the zoo’s research department.
“[T]he animal care staff was prepared to step in during the birth, and it’s a good thing they were,” zoo officials said in a statement. “Jennet began having difficulties during labor and the animal care team was able to intervene and save both mom and baby. The baby female genet was born C-section in critical condition and had to be hand raised by her keepers and veterinary staff.”
Though it will be some time before she is ready to be out and about in an enclosure, Josie has opened her eyes and is growing well, her handlers report.
