Indianapolis Zoo Staff Share Special Bond With Baby Gazelle

INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- Zookeepers at the Indianapolis Zoo are sharing a special bond they've formed with Carina, a rare addra gazelle who was born at the zoo last fall. When 5-month-old Carina was born, zookeepers say their animal care staff noticed the calf's mother wasn't showing maternal instincts or care, so they chose to step in and become her "mommies."

Indianapolis zookeepers said they cared for Carina 24 hours a day by taking different shifts to bottle-feed and ensure all of the calf's needs were met, especially in the ways her mom would have done.

Why take on this role? Zookeepers says the addra gazelle is a highly endangered species in the wild and the calf's first few days of life are critical.

Since the fall, Carina has grown fast and is healthy, the zoo says. She's been reintroduced with the rest of her herd and can be seen wagging her "happy baby tail."

Zookeepers say they will always have a special bond with Carina.

More: Indianapolis Zoo

Video via Indianapolis Zoo

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)