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The Photos We Need Right Now: Cincinnati Zoo's Quarantine Baby Boom

91.7 WVXU | By Ann Thompson
Published July 30, 2020 at 12:49 PM EDT

There's a surprisingly large second wave of births this year at the Cincinnati Zoo, highlighted by a critically endangered bonobo born last week to first-time mom "Kesi."

The new babies include "Pocket" the wallaby, a red panda cub, skunk kits, dead-leaf mantises and more flamingo chicks than any other year.

"We joke about COVID quarantine being the cause, but the animals didn't actually spend any more time than usual together during the lockdown," says Zoo Director Thane Maynard. "We did our best to keep their routines the same."

A fussy colobus monkey.
Credit Cincinnati Zoo
A fussy colobus monkey.

Zoo babies month is usually celebrated in May but the zoo jokes these "Animals didn't stay six feet apart during the quarantine!"

You'll likely be able to see the baby bonobo next week outside in Jungle Trails along with her mom and dad. The baby's dad is 49-year-old "Vernon."

Credit Cincinnati Zoo

To see more photos of zoo babies, click the photo at top.

Copyright 2021 91.7 WVXU. To see more, visit .

There are more flamingo chicks than any other year.
Courtesy of Cincinnati Zoo /
There are more flamingo chicks than any other year.
A baby colobus monkey snuggles.
Courtesy of Cincinnati Zoo /
A baby colobus monkey snuggles.
A King penguin chick.
Courtesy of Cincinnati Zoo /
A King penguin chick.
Hello world!
Courtesy of Cincinnati Zoo /
Hello world!
"Pocket" the wallaby.
Courtesy of Cincinnati Zoo /
"Pocket" the wallaby.
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Ann Thompson
With more than 30 years of journalism experience in the Greater Cincinnati market, Ann Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her reporting. She has reported for WKRC, WCKY, WHIO-TV, Metro Networks and CBS/ABC Radio. Her work has been recognized by the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2019 and 2011 A-P named her “Best Reporter” for large market radio in Ohio. She has won awards from the Association of Women in Communications and the Alliance for Women in Media. Ann reports regularly on science and technology in Focus on Technology.
See stories by Ann Thompson