Endangered Species Born At Illinois Zoo And He’s Absolutely Adorable

Brookfield Zoo recently got a new resident that is rather rare not only for Illinois, but also the rest of the world.

The suburban Chicago zoo is now home to a 15-pound addax calf that was born on Aug. 8.

According to ABC 7, addax are an endangered species with less than 100 of them still roaming in the wild.

While addax are rare in the wild, the most recent birth at Brookfield Zoo was their third calf born in the past 13 months.

According to information from the zoo, addax are known for their heavy bodies and large heads which feature spiraling horns. Adults can grow as large as 280 lbs.

The unique coats on the addax will make them standout the next time you visit the Brookfield Zoo.

The zoo says Addax are known for having white markings on their legs and bellies and brown on their heads.

The color of their coat lightens during the summer before becoming a darker shade in the winter.

The zoo shared this is the first calf born to mother Ivy and the fifth for the father, Ishnala.

Addax are particularly important to Brookfield Zoo's history. The first addax to be born at a zoo was birthed at Brookfield in 1941.

According to Brookfield Zoo, Addax are "a nomadic desert-living ungulate, or hoofed mammal."

Currently, they are most likely to be found in the wild in Chad, Mauritania and Niger.

At Brookfield Zoo, guests can choose to "adopt" an addax to help its care. Funds raised through adoptions also assist with research and conservation efforts connected to the species.