Newborn Zebra Astra Joins Oklahoma City Zoo’s Expedition Africa Herd Ahead of Halloween

The female plains zebra, born October 19, can be seen with her family along Predator Pass as the zoo continues its Haunt the Zoo celebrations.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Female plains zebra Astra was born at Oklahoma City Zoo on October 19, 2026, weighing about 82 pounds.
• The foal joins parents Calypso and Mars and herd mates Nebula and Lyra in Expedition Africa.
• Visitors may see Astra along Predator Pass when weather permits.
• The zoo’s Haunt the Zoo celebration continues through October 31, with a trail passing through Expedition Africa.

A new striped resident has arrived at Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, giving families another reason to explore its Expedition Africa area this October. A female plains zebra named Astra was born on Monday, October 19, 2026, and visitors may be able to see her alongside the zoo’s established herd, depending on the weather.

According to the zoo’s October 20 announcement, Astra weighed approximately 82 pounds (37 kilograms) at birth. Her mother, Calypso, and father, Mars, are part of the herd living along Predator Pass in Expedition Africa, presented by the Inasmuch Foundation. The young foal joins herd mates Nebula and Lyra.

A growing zebra family in Expedition Africa

The name Astra, derived from the Greek word for “star,” continues the zoo’s celestial naming theme. For guests, the birth offers an opportunity to watch the early stages of a zebra’s life within an exhibit that also includes wildebeest. The animals share habitat space in a display intended to demonstrate how their species coexist on Africa’s grasslands, where grazing patterns and collective alertness can benefit both.

Plains zebras are native to eastern and southern Africa and are classified as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with habitat loss among the pressures on wild populations. Zoo officials described Astra’s arrival as significant for the population in human care.

“Our zebra herd continues to grow at the OKC Zoo,” said Bill Smith, the zoo’s curator of hoofstock. He cited the importance of zebras to savanna ecosystems and the role of managed populations in zoological collections.

Zebra pregnancies typically last 11 to 13 months. Foals can usually stand and walk within minutes of birth, a critical adaptation for a species that must keep pace with mobile herds. Each zebra also develops a distinctive pattern of stripes.

A new arrival during the zoo’s Halloween season

Astra’s arrival coincides with Haunt the Zoo, the Oklahoma City attraction’s long-running family Halloween event. This year’s route includes Expedition Africa, giving families the possibility of seeing the young zebra and other African species while following the trick-or-treat trail.

According to the zoo’s published event details, Haunt the Zoo runs on October weekends through October 31, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an additional limited evening event on Friday, October 30. Its programme features seasonal decorations, a pumpkin playhouse, themed food and a costume parade at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Zoo admission or a ZOOfriends membership and an advance-purchased official treat bag are required for trick-or-treating.

Official bags are priced at $10, or $9 for ZOOfriends members, with $1 from each purchase supporting zoo conservation projects. Visitors can consult the zoo’s Haunt the Zoo information for event details and its main website for general visitor information.

Dr. Dwight Lawson, the zoo’s executive director and CEO, welcomed the birth as a reminder of the institution’s conservation mission. For guests planning a visit, Astra and the rest of the zebra herd can be observed in their outdoor habitat when conditions permit; wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.