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NORTH ATTLEBORO -- Valentine's Day brought visitors at the World War I Memorial Park Zoo a new animal to love.

While the night sky was obscured by a snowstorm, one of the zoo's miniature ponies, Apache, gave birth to a stallion. He has been named Midnight Storm by the zoo staff to reflect the circumstances of his birth.

"He was born on Valentine's Day during a snowstorm - they always seem to have interesting timing," interim Head Zookeeper Liz Damiano said. "He's doing very well. He's a very happy little boy."

Apache has taken to motherhood, and is quite protective of her little one. The colt is mainly brown with a white belly, legs and muzzle.

The zoo's miniature ponies, which have an 11-month gestation period, are usually bred each year, Damiano said.