A critically endangered newborn addax now calls Disney's Animal Kingdom home: Watch video

An addax, a critically endangered animal, at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge just gave birth to her first calf just in time to celebrate Mother's Day.

Juniper was born in 2021, but when her mother passed away during the birth due to complications, keepers and animal care experts stepped in to provide her with the care she needed, according to a press release Walt Disney World Resort sent to USA TODAY.

Now, the 2-year-old is a first-time mom, and her calf, Julien, will be joining the herd at Animal Kingdom Lodge soon.

"Both Juniper and Julien have been nursing, nuzzling and bonding in a backstage area ahead of Julien’s debut on the savanna," states the press release.

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Addaxs are a rare sight

Currently, there is an estimate of less than 100 addax in the wild. The critically endangered species is on "the brink of extinction," states the press release.

According to the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, the animal faces many threats, including:

• Drought
• Hunting
• Habitat loss from agricultural expansion and oil drilling

Their non-aggressive nature around humans also makes them easy targets for poachers, states the institute.

They are so rare that the lodge Juniper calls home is one of the only places folks can see the animal outside of Africa, said representatives from Walt Disney World in a statement.

What is an addax?

Addax are antelopes that are stocky, short and have slender legs, states the Smithsonian. The shy animal also has horns that curve and protrude out of the top of its head.

The desert creatures barely need to drink water and have a pale coat that reflects the sun, which keeps them cool in extreme heat, which helps them survive and live in their natural habitat, the Sahara Desert, one of the harshest regions on the planet.