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Outback Station in the Orkin Children’s Zoo features Zoo Atlanta’s Australian animal species. A petting zoo themed to resemble an Australian sheep station offers close encounters with Kunekune pigs, Boer goats, Nigerian dwarf goats, Nubian goats and Gulf Coast sheep.
Boer goats
The petting zoo’s largest goat breed, Boer goats were originally bred in South Africa. They are lop-eared and short-haired, with coats occurring in a variety of colors. Males weigh between 250 to 350 pounds and females weigh between 150 and 200 pounds.
Nigerian dwarf goats
A miniature breed that originated in West Africa, Nigerian dwarf goats are the petting zoo’s smallest goats, weighing only about 50 pounds when grown. Their coats occur in many colors, the most common being black, chocolate and gold.
Nubian goats
Believed to be the result of crossbreeding between British stock and Indian and East African breeds, Nubian goats are raised primarily for milk. Known for their good temperaments, the droopy-eared Nubians are comparable to the Boer goats in size, weighing up to 150 pounds.
Kunekune pigs
Kunekune (pronounced “cooney cooney”) pigs are a unique breed hailing from New Zealand. Although Kunekune origins are not known, the pigs were found almost exclusively among New Zealand’s native Maori people until the latter part of the 20 th century. (The Maori also provided the name, which means “fat and round.”) Kunekunes are widely popular today for their friendly dispositions, but the breed is quite rare in U.S. zoos.
Gulf Coast Sheep
A breed excellently suited to Georgia’s hot, high-humidity summers, Gulf Coast sheep originated in the southeastern U.S. over 500 years ago. They are small to medium in size, with males weighing 125 to 200 pounds and females weighing 75 to 100 pounds. Gulf Coast sheep are white to tan with a medium-grade fleece. The Zoo’s sheep are sheared once a year.
| At the petting zoo, it’s OK to touch the goats, sheep and pigs. Children have a unique opportunity for close encounters with animals that they might not normally encounter in the big city. Children always remember this part of their Zoo experience! The petting zoo is open daily (weather permitting) from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
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| Outback Station in the Orkin Children's Zoo was supported by The Gary W. & Ruth M. Rollins Foundation and Orkin, Inc.. |
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