The miniature zebu is one of the oldest and smallest breeds of cattle

Brooklyn, N.Y. – Dec. 4, 2013 - The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo is home to two new miniature zebus (Bos taurus indicus).

The zebu is one of the oldest breeds of cattle, believed to have originated in southern India around 6,000 years ago.

The two zebus at the Prospect Park Zoo are both less than a year old and are a male/female pair. Both have small horns on top of their heads, which is signature of the breed. While zebus can be various colors such as black, reddish, gray or white, the pair at the Prospect Park Zoo is light gray with white underneath. The cow is distinguished from the bull by the reddish tuft on top of her head.

Although a diminutive breed, adult miniature zebus can weigh up to 500 pounds and measure three to four feet in length. Unlike larger breeds of cattle, miniature zebus are slow to mature, reaching adulthood between ages 2 to 3 years.

As grazers, the zoo’s pair eats mostly hay. They live in the zoo’s barn area along with sheep, goats, turkeys, a variety of chickens and geese, miniature horses, and other domestic animals.

For further information on this story, or to talk with the experts involved, please contact Barbara Russo at 718-265-3428 or email brusso@wcs.org.

CONTACT:
Barbara Russo: 718-265-3428; brusso@wcs.org
Max Pulsinelli - 718-220-5182; mpulsinelli@wcs.org
Steve Fairchild – 718-220-5189; sfairchild@wcs.org
The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo – $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 65 and older, $5 for kids 3-12, free for children under 3. Zoo hours are 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. weekdays, and to 5:30 P.M. on weekends and holidays, April through October. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. November through March. The Prospect Park Zoo is located at 450 Flatbush Avenue in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. For further information, call 718-399-7339 or visit www.prospectparkzoo.com.

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.

Special Note to the Media: If you would like to guide your readers or viewers to a Web link where they can make donations in support of helping save wildlife and wild places, please direct them to wcs.org.