It's a Boy For Busch Gardens' Clydesdale

Thursday, April 07, 2011

In the early morning hours of April 5, Busch Gardens welcomed a 150-pound foal into the park’s Clydesdale family. The unnamed colt is the first Clydesdale ever born at a SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment park.

Panola, the colt’s mother, had been showing signs for several days that she was ready to deliver. Park animal specialists confirmed the pending birth after a check of Panola's calcium levels in her milk.

On Monday evening, Panola’s handlers led her into the Highland Stables to rest. At 11:45 p.m. the team noticed she had stopped eating and had increased her activity level, pacing and kicking - both signs she was having contractions. Her water broke an hour later and delivery began within 10 minutes.

“We saw one foot, then a second foot, then the head,” said Jennifer Brown, Busch Gardens’ Clydesdale specialist who oversaw the early morning delivery. “Our team was there to assist with hot water and towels, but Panola did most of the work herself, and did a great job.”

Jay Tacey, manager of zoological operations, describes the new colt as remarkable, adding, “The colt is nursing and he and Panola appear to be doing very well. He is figuring out how to stand up and lay down, which is difficult with legs that long and a body that small.”

The birth is a milestone for the company.

Despite Busch Gardens’ long history with Clydesdales, none had ever been born at the park. Most were born at an offsite facility, with the mother and foal brought to the park several months later.

“This is the first Clydesdale born to the SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment family, and we’re glad it could happen here at Busch Gardens,” Tacey said.

Highland Stables in the park's Scottish village was redesigned in 2010 to better reflect a working Scottish farm. The park’s Clydesdales are black with a white blaze and feature other markings common to the breed of Scottish draft horses.

Guests can see the new colt in the Highland Stables pasture. Behind-the-scenes tours are available to learn more about the history of the Highland Stables as well as the animals that call the stables home. Guests can get up-close with Border collies, Clydesdales and Scottish Blackface sheep and learn how the animals are used on traditional Scottish farms.

For more information about the Clydesdales & Collies Up-Close tour and other behind-the-scenes tours, click here or call 800-343-7946.