SoCal is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, from mountain lions to blue whales. But for species that come from far beyond the region, places like the local zoo offer a chance to experience species from around the world while also supporting conservation, education, and responsible animal care.
Now, the L.A. Zoo has a few irresistibly cute new residents that visitors can meet up close. Four Boer goat kids have officially joined the ranch area inside the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo.
At just six months old, the playful newcomers are already greeting guests, who can pet and interact with them during daily meet-and-greets. The addition expands one of the Zoo’s most hands-on experiences, allowing visitors of all ages to connect with these friendly farm animals.
Meet the L.A. Zoo’s four new Boer goat kids
The Zoo’s newest arrivals are four female Boer goats (Capra hircus), a domestic breed originally developed in South Africa and known for its calm temperament and distinctive white body with a reddish-brown head. The breed takes its name from the Dutch word boer, meaning “farmer,” and has been popular in the United States since the early 1990s.
These four cuties were born about six months ago at Covina High School through its Future Farmers of America (FFA) program. Students in the program cared for the goats’ mothers throughout their pregnancies and helped raise the young goats before they made the move to the L.A. Zoo.
Visitors can now meet Boer goats alongside the Zoo’s Nigerian dwarf goats in the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo, where guests are encouraged to get up close, pet the animals, and learn more through direct interaction. According to the Zoo, these close encounters are designed to help foster empathy for wildlife and create stronger connections with nature.
The Boer goats are available for visits daily from 10 AM to 2 PM (weather permitting), except on Thursdays.
