FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

11 June 2007

Contact:   

Amber Ricles          

Marketing Manager           

(757) 441-2374 ext. 223

FIRST PRAIRIE DOG BABIES BORN

SINCE TUNNEL COLLAPSE

NORFOLK , VA – The first litter of prairie dog babies born since the December 2005 tunnel collapse surfaced last week at the Virginia Zoo.

A total of three pups have been sited and can be seen tumbling around the exhibit with the colony members learning prairie dog social skills, which include barking and greeting each other with a kiss.

“The births tell us the colony is doing well,” said executive director Greg Bockheim. “It is important the prairie dogs reproduce so the Zoo's colony continues to grow and thrive.”

Prairie Dog females typically have one litter of three to five pups each year. The young are born blind and their eyes do not open for 33 to 37 days. At about six weeks, they begin to appear above ground and are ready to be weaned.

To see these new arrivals and more than 350 other animals, visit the Zoo between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. , seven days a week.

# # #