At 12:30 PM on Friday, July 24, a moment we had been eagerly awaiting finally arrived as Verna went into labour.
Staff closely monitored the birth, but it soon became clear that things were not progressing as they should. The cria’s head and neck had emerged, but the rest of the delivery had stalled. After consulting with our veterinarian, staff discovered the cria’s legs were positioned incorrectly and stepped in to assist.
With guidance from our vet, lots of teamwork, some lubricant, and plenty of hand power, we were able to safely help Verna deliver her baby.
We are thrilled to share that Verna and her beautiful baby boy cria are both doing wonderfully! 💙
Verna is proving to be an excellent mum, and after a little assistance getting the cria nursing, the pair are thriving. Visitors can already see him running, playing, and staying close to his mom around the farm.
To give them the best possible start, we have temporarily closed off their immediate area to provide some peace, space, and privacy during these important first weeks. You can still see Verna and her cria during your visit, but we ask everyone to please respect the barriers and give them some extra room.
This birth is especially exciting because it is the first live birth at Maplewood Farm since 2021. It has been almost five years since we last welcomed a newborn to the farm!
