San Francisco Zoo & Gardens Announces Animal Birth

The San Francisco Zoo & Gardens is happy to announce the arrival of an infant guanaco, born Saturday, August 20 at about 2:00 pm in the Puente al Sur exhibit. Both mother, “Milagro”, and her female chulengo (young guanaco) are in excellent condition. She took her first steps about one hour after birth and is nursing and bonding with her mother.

“Animal births are always exciting, but this one is extra special because it’s the first guanaco birth at SF Zoo,” said Tanya M. Peterson, President of the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens. “2016 has been an abundant year and we are so fortunate to have yet another healthy mother and infant.”

In recent months, SF Zoo welcomed a giraffe calf, anteater, and howler and patas monkeys.

The chulengo, not yet named, weighs between 15 and 30 pounds. Her father “Cusco” is three years old and mother “Milagro” is eight years old. Both guanacos are first-time parents.

Mother and infant are being given privacy to bond in area that is not publicly visible, but “Cusco” is in the main exhibit yard. The animal care team will determine in a number of weeks when the new mother and chulengo will rejoin the other animals.

Guanacos are a member of the Camelid family, along with camels, llamas, alpacas and vicunas. They are native to South America, where they are the largest wild mammal. Gestation periods are 11.5 months and most chulengos stay with their mother for about one year.

Video of her first steps

San Francisco Zoo

Established in 1929, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens connects people to wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action. An urban oasis, the Zoo & Gardens is home to more than 2,000 exotic, endangered and rescued animals representing more than 250 species as well as seven distinct gardens full of native and unusual plants. Located at the edge of the Pacific Ocean where the Great Highway meets Sloat Boulevard, the Zoo is open 365 days a year from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (summer hours) and is accessible by San Francisco MUNI "L" Taraval Line.