ABILENE, Texas — The Abilene Zoo announced Wednesday that its three fossa pups, born June 19 have joined their mother, Lavavolo (Volo), on exhibit for guests to view.
On Nov. 6, the pups, two male and one female, were given access to their outdoor habitat for the first time.
The fossa is a carnivore closely related to the mongoose and a native of Madagascar's forests. Its known as a fascinating and elusive creature with a slender, cat-like body and incredible agility. The fossas' outdoor habitat, designed by the zoo's animal care and maintenance staff, provides a safe and enriching environment for the cubs to explore.
Zoo visitors now have the opportunity to watch them as they navigate the world outside their den and adapt to their natural surroundings.
“We know everyone has been anxiously awaiting the debut of the three fossa pups. To allow for proper bonding between mom and pups, they have been kept behind the scenes until the staff was confident that Volo was ready for them to explore their big habitat,” keeper Marissa Ballard said in a release from the zoo. “We are so excited to introduce them to the Abilene community so they can watch them explore and grow along with us!”
The fossa pups and Volo can be seen in the Madagascar exhibit.
For more information, go to abilenezoo.org.