Meet our Newest Kid!

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is excited to announce that its first-ever Chinese goral baby is a boy! Now that the secret is out, this little guy needs a name, and the Zoo is asking the public to help choose it.

The Chinese goral kid made quite the entrance on the afternoon of July 21, 2026, arriving right in the middle of a summer storm. While the rain came down, the little storm baby was busy making Zoo history. Born to parents Madeline and King, he arrived without assistance from Zoo staff and was up on his feet and following Mom within minutes. 

Now comes the fun part, "What should the Zoo’s first-ever Chinese goral be named?" Animal Care Specialists have selected three names inspired by Chinese language and culture.

Say hello to the Chinese gorals at Beardsley Zoo — sure-footed, goat-like animals native to the mountainous regions of China and Southeast Asia. Built for life on steep, rocky terrain, gorals are skilled climbers with strong legs and specialized hooves that help them navigate rugged slopes with ease. Typically, shy and elusive in the wild, they feed on grasses, leaves and other vegetation. With populations facing threats from habitat loss and hunting, the Chinese goral is an important species for conservation — making the birth of our first-ever goral at Beardsley Zoo especially exciting.

Learn more here!

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Hours are subject to change due to staffing and/or weather conditions. Please be sure to check our website or Facebook page for any information regarding Zoo closures.