Como Zoo's very pregnant zebra, Minnie, received a special delivery over the weekend — a new baby.

With the hard work of bringing a baby zebra into the world out of the way, zoo officials said Tuesday that they are making the naming of the foal part of a silent auction fundraiser later this month. According to zoo officials, "Mom and baby are both doing well, enjoying the oohs and aahs of visitors."

The baby zebra was born sometime during the overnight hours of Saturday and Sunday. Zookeepers discovered Minnie's new mouth to feed when they arrived Sunday morning. The baby, whose gender is not yet known, was up and walking and closely shadowing its mother.

The birth was not a surprise.

"Minnie was getting very big. We knew it was a matter of days before her baby would make its appearance," said Allison Jungheim, senior keeper at Como Zoo.

The silent auction to name the baby will be part of the Como Friends' Travelers' Sunset Affair, an annual summer benefit for Como Park and Conservatory, to be held July 21. Those seeking inspiration for names — or who just want to see baby and mama — can see the new zebra from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day in the outdoor Zebra and Kudu Exhibit.

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The newborn zebra at the Como Zoo in St. Paul on Tuesday. It is the second foal born by Minnie, one of the resident zebras.

The baby is Minnie's second. The newborn's father is Ulysses. Como is home to Grant's zebras, which are commonly found in the grassy plains of eastern Africa, including the countries of Kenya and Ethiopia.

Those interested in sponsoring a zebra at Como Zoo should call 651-487-8229 or go online to comofriends.org. Those wishing to keep Twitter tabs on the baby's progress can follow along at @comozoo and @comofriends.

James Walsh