Say hello to the 2026 class of Zoo Babies at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. This year’s group features a remarkable variety, with 12 different species and more than 30 individual babies.
Among the newborns are Jones and Morgan, two African penguin chicks who hatched in January. Excitement is also growing as Tessa, a 19-year-old giraffe, is expecting her fifth calf, and the Aruba island rattlesnake is anticipating new offspring as well.
This is the first time that a blue duiker has been included in the Zoo Babies celebration, marking a milestone for the event.
All zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) participate in managed breeding programs. These programs recommend pairings based on genetic factors and other considerations that support the diversity and health of each species’ population.
Zoo Babies, presented by General Electric Credit Union, runs the entire month of May. The tradition of celebrating Zoo Babies at the Cincinnati Zoo began in 1983 and has continued since then.
See more photos of Cincinnati Zoo’s new Zoo Babies
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Zoo welcomes 2026 Zoo Babies. Meet the new animals
Reporting by Cara Owsley, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
