Zoos Across America

22/07/2024

Big yawn! Here's a sleepy photo of The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore's 6-week-old chimp baby.

Oh, big yawn! Here's a sleepy photo of the 6-week-old chimp baby to push through the Monday blues. Just what you need to start the week with a smile.

22/07/2024

Tongue Out Tuesday came early this week! These pictures from the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin made me laugh.

Rock hyrax have a tendency to stick their tongues out frequently. This habit is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to thermoregulation and communication.

📸 Keeper Nicole

22/07/2024

Time for the perfect cotton-top tamarin family portrait! This photo includes Zoo Boise's new tamarin baby, mom Mimi, twins Suki and Momo, big brother Rockford, and dad Eddy.

📷: Zookeeper Taylor T

Time for the perfect cotton-top tamarin family portrait with new baby, mom Mimi, twins Suki and Momo, big brother Rockford, and dad Eddy!

📷: Zookeeper Taylor T

21/07/2024

Happy National Zoo Keeper Week from New Mexico's ABQ BioPark! From July 21-27, they're celebrating the amazing teams that dedicate their lives to caring for the species that call ABQ BioPark home. Today is dedicated to highlighting the Hoofstock team.

This team is responsible for:
•9 species
•22 individuals

"Hoofstock" here generally refers to large, herd herbivores even if they don't all have hooves. That means this team works with most of the biggest residents you'll find at the ABQ BioPark Zoo! This includes towering giraffes, thundering rhinos, and hungry hippos; but also their hoppin' mob of western grey kangaroos and agile klipspringers.

This year, the team is proud to have successfully integrated an all-male zebra herd, consisting of four adult male Hartmann's mountain zebras. The Hartmann's mountain zebra Species Survival Plan carefully monitors genetic diversity, and some individuals are not recommended for breeding. There are not many AZA facilities with bachelor herds of these zebras! The care team has worked very hard to create a good environment to promote positive herd dynamics and provide this special herd with the highest quality of care. The attentive team makes constant tweaks to their daily management, always improving their quality of life. The group has been doing so well that they have even started doing behind-the-scenes tours! The zoo is at the forefront of implementing solutions that benefit the entire species in human care, and this success opens up space in other AZA facilities to accommodate breeding herds and make way for precious new foals. The next time you see the "Ze-bros" (as they're lovingly called) playing in their habitat, take a moment to appreciate this achievement!

📸Keeper Melissa & Buccaneer the reticulated giraffe

Happy National Zoo Keeper Week 2024! From July 21-27, we're celebrating the amazing teams that dedicate their lives to to caring for the species that call ABQ BioPark home. This year is all about the teamwork required to provide exceptional animal care and achieve conservation wins, so let's herd over to our next TEAM TAKEOVER:

🦏Hoofstock🦓
This team is responsible for:
•9 species
•22 individuals

"Hoofstock" here generally refers to large, herd herbivores even if they don't all have hooves. That means this team works with most of the biggest residents you'll find at the ABQ BioPark Zoo! This includes towering giraffes, thundering rhinos, and hungry hippos; but also our hoppin' mob of western grey kangaroos and agile klipspringers.

This year, the team is proud to have successfully integrated an all-male zebra herd, consisting of four adult male Hartmann's mountain zebras. The Hartmann's mountain zebra Species Survival Plan carefully monitors genetic diversity, and some individuals are not recommended for breeding. There are not many AZA facilities with bachelor herds of these zebras! The care team has worked very hard to create a good environment to promote positive herd dynamics and provide this special herd with the highest quality of care. The attentive team makes constant tweaks to their daily management, always improving their quality of life. The group has been doing so well that they have even started doing behind-the-scenes tours! We are at the forefront of implementing solutions that benefit the entire species in human care, and this success opens up space in other AZA facilities to accommodate breeding herds and make way for precious new foals. The next time you see the "Ze-bros" (as they're lovingly called) playing in their habitat, take a moment to appreciate this achievement!

📸Keeper Melissa & Buccaneer the reticulated giraffe

21/07/2024

What are Zia's Sunday plans? Taking a cat nap of course! Zia the jaguar resides at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden.

📷: Caretaker Mandi

Sunday plans: taking a cat nap😺 Zia popping in to remind you to take a break this weekend and relax jaguar style!

📷: Caretaker Mandi

21/07/2024

Happy Andean Bear Day from New Jersey's Cape May County Park/Zoo and their very own Andean bear, Billie Jean! Here are some fun facts:

⛰ They are endemic to the Andes Mts of South America
1️⃣ They are solitary (❌no bear friends please!❌)
🌳They are arboreal and nest in trees
🦴They only have 13 pairs of ribs (all other bears have 14)
🌺They are the only species of bear known to eat bromeliads
🐻Since Paddington Bear came from Peru, he would be an Andean bear!

(📷: Zookeeper Jen)

Happy Andean Bear Day! 🎉

Today we celebrate Andean bears, represented by Billie Jean at the Zoo! Here are some fun facts:

⛰They are endemic to the Andes Mts of South America
1️⃣ They are solitary (❌no bear friends please!❌)
🌳They are arboreal and nest in trees
🦴They only have 13 pairs of ribs (all other bears have 14)
🌺They are the only species of bear known to eat bromeliads
🐻Since Paddington Bear came from Peru, he would be an Andean bear!

(📷: Zookeeper Jen)

21/07/2024

What a cute post from Colorado's Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Here's ferrets Blizzard, Alfred and Cyclone cozied up in the ultimate cuddle puddle.

Spotted: Blizzard, Alfred and Cyclone cozied up in the ultimate cuddle puddle.

21/07/2024

Here's an egg-citing conservation announcement from the Audubon Zoo. They recently hatched two critically endangered blue-crowned laughingthrush chicks. With less than 250 remaining in the wild, they are threatened by the illegal pet trade and songbird trapping in China. The blue-crowned laughingthrush gets its name from its unique, laughter-like calls that can be heard echoing through the forests.

We have another egg-citing conservation announcement! Two critically endangered blue-crowned laughingthrush chicks have recently hatched at Audubon Zoo. With less than 250 remaining in the wild, they are threatened by the illegal pet trade and songbird trapping in China. The blue-crowned laughingthrush gets its name from its unique, laughter-like calls that can be heard echoing through the forests.

You can find these two chicks with first-time parents in the Wings of the World exhibit! 🐣

21/07/2024

The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina has completed their new Komodo dragon habitat, Komodo Crossing. This project was made possible by a generous bequest from the late Mr. Lloyd L. and Mrs. Doris N. Liles.

Curator of Herpetology, Sean Foley, shares, "The new habitat is larger and more immersive than the original exhibit, offering a more complex and naturalistic environment."

Guests can now enjoy multiple viewing areas showcasing both indoor and outdoor habitats. Behind the scenes, Komodo Crossing features separate bedrooms with transport access for keepers, along with a dedicated outdoor quarantine yard.

This new facility aligns with Riverbanks Zoo and Garden's commitment to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs. The habitat will not only support breeding and conservation efforts for Komodo dragons but will also enhance educational initiatives focused on this endangered species.

20/07/2024

Check out this beautiful macaw pair at NYC's Bronx Zoo! These two are hyacinth macaws, the largest macaws in the world. With their stunning blue feathers and ability to mimic human speech, they are both intelligent and beautiful. Their range includes areas in Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil. Their IUCN status is assessed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and over-collection for the pet trade.

20/07/2024

The Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford, Massachusetts has two 11-week-old Canada lynx kittens!

There is a lot of excitement surrounding this adorable duo, so here's the answers to some common questions the zoo has been getting:

❓The kittens are one male and one female.

❓They will both stay with mom, Sylvie, for about a year. As BPZOO participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan (SSP), there is likely to be a recommendation at some point to send them to another Zoo. This typically happens once they have reached an age where in the wild, they would leave the care of their mother.

❓Hutch, the father, will be introduced to them within the next few weeks.

❓They have not been named yet, however the zoo expects to make that official announcement very soon.

20/07/2024

Say hello to Pimento, the newest prehensile-tailed porcupine at Texas's Abilene Zoo! This sweet boy was born on July 11th to mom Triscuit and dad Sergipe. His brothers Sargento and Biscuit live at the Abilene Zoo as well.

18/07/2024

It's a boy! Bugsy the three-banded armadillo pup at the Oregon Zoo just had his first vet checkup. The roly-poly baby was born last month to parents Toby and Max.

18/07/2024

There's a new face at the Santa Ana Zoo! They recently welcomed Amina the Dromedary camel to their zoo family. Amina will join Amir (aka Humphrey) in the camel habitat. Guests may see her in the side yard as Amina and Amir get used to each other's company.

At five years old, Amina is a full grown female camel. She is curious about her new home, and Amir is equally curious about her!

18/07/2024

Here's a neat fact from the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. The bumps on a Mexican beaded lizard's skin are technically osteoderms. That's a fancy term which means they are made from bone. They even show up on x-rays!

The bumps on the Mexican beaded lizard's skin are technically osteoderms. That's a fancy term which means they are made from bone. They even show up on x-rays!

18/07/2024

Jasper the Canada lynx is keeping cool during the summer heat by enjoying a cat nap in the cool grass! Jasper resides at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington.

📸: Assistant curator Maureen

18/07/2024

There's some changes going on at the Pine Grove Zoo in Little Falls, Minnesota! The zoo's 6 Coatimundi babies are now out and about in their new home. Visitors can come say "Hi!" to Bonnie, Clyde, and the rest of their posse.

17/07/2024

Happy World Snake Day from Virginia's Mill Mountain Zoo!

Today, the zoo is slithering into the spotlight to celebrate their many amazing snakes! From the native Corn Snakes and Eastern Rat Snakes to the impressive Burmese Python, Ball Python, Rosy Boa, and Red-tailed Boa, the zoo is home to a diverse collection of these fascinating reptiles. Snakes play a crucial role in our ecosystems and World Snake Day is all about raising awareness of their beauty and importance.

17/07/2024

This beautiful red fox was found abandoned in a box at an apartment complex. Luckily he was rescued by an Ohio wildlife rehabilitator and brought to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. The fox is not yet visible to the public but the zoo is excited to provide him with a new home where he will serve as an ambassador to his species.

17/07/2024

This little one loves snuggles with mom! The Philadelphia Zoo recently celebrated the birth of a critically endangered Sumatran orangutan, born to mom Tua and dad Sugi on June 26. Mom and baby continue to do well and are setting their own schedule for when they will be visible to guests.

Just snuggling with mom 💕

In case you missed it, we're celebrating the birth of a critically endangered Sumatran orangutan, born to mom Tua and dad Sugi on June 26. Mom and baby continue to do well and are setting their own schedule for when they will be visible to guests. We haven't determined if it's a boy or a girl or chosen a name just yet. Stay tuned for more updates on this little redhead!

16/07/2024

Happy 16th birthday to Chuck, the newest member of the Houston Zoo's Asian elephant herd! Keeper Paige prepared car-themed enrichment featuring hay, watermelon, and apples for the birthday boy.

📸: Elephant Keeper Payton

Happy 16th Birthday to the newest member of our Asian elephant herd, Chuck! Keeper Paige prepared car-themed enrichment featuring hay, watermelon, and apples for the birthday boy.

📸: Elephant Keeper Payton

16/07/2024

Cookies and Cream! AKA, this gorgeous speckled rattlesnake at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Did you know Arizona has more rattlesnake species than any other state?

Cookies and Cream! AKA, the gorgeous speckled rattlesnake. Did you know Arizona has more rattlesnake species than any other state? We think this is cause for celebration!

Whether you love them or don’t YET love them (see what we did there ☺️), snakes are improtant parts of the desert ecosystem and deserve our respect just like all living creatures. Do you have a favorite rattlesnake?

16/07/2024

Here's a photo of one of the smaller mammals at Alabama's Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum. This is a Blue Duiker, a species of antelope native to central, southern and eastern Africa.

One of our smaller mammals a the zoo is our Blue Duiker! They are located in the old world aviary near the Giraffe Encounter. Make sure to visit with them on your next trip to the !

15/07/2024

Here's a video update on the red panda cub at Rochester, New York's Seneca Park Zoo. Visitors can stop by the zoo's animal hospital to witness the amazing care staff are providing for the little cub.

Red pandas are endangered with populations declining by 50% in the last 20 years. The Seneca Zoo partners with organizations like Red Panda Network, which is committed to the conservation of red pandas and their habitat through the education and empowerment of local communities.

15/07/2024

Weighing in at just over 2,100 lbs, KJ the Eastern black rhinoceros at Kansas' Sedgwick County Zoo isn't just a "ton" of fun; he's a ton of pure rhino power! What makes KJ even more special? His unique third horn, which has become even more prominent.

📷 Lou Alexander

Have you seen KJ, our Eastern black rhinoceros, lately? 👀🦏

Weighing in at just over 2,100 lbs, he’s not just "a ton" of fun – he’s a ton of pure rhino power! 💪

What makes KJ even more special? His unique third horn, which has become even more prominent. Come out and see for yourself!

📷 Lou Alexander

15/07/2024

Everyone could use some Tala cuteness on their feed. Tala is a binturong at Indiana's Fort Wayne Children's Zoo.

14/07/2024

The Niabi Zoo let Kenna the Colobus monkey choose her own baby's name and she chose.....ADIRA!

All the name bags behind Kenna had diet components that she likes, making the contest as fair as possible.

Video and naming event setup courtesy of Laura R and Kelton S

14/07/2024

Cedar is enjoying this Caturday, as any cat would! Cedar resides at California's Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary.

Cedar is enjoying this , as any cat would! 🐱🍞

13/07/2024

Meet Avery, a female kinkajou who has quite a backstory. She was placed at the San Francisco Zoo after being confiscated by federal wildlife officials via the AZA’s Wildlife Confiscations Network, of which SF Zoo is partnering to provide care and a temporary or permanent home for animals caught up in illegal wildlife trafficking. Avery is around 2-4 years old and is doing well. Once she's settled in she'll be paired with a male kinkajou who was brought to the zoo under similar circumstances.

The kinkajou is an arboreal member of the raccoon family with a long, prehensile tail that it uses for balance and hanging from tree branches. Their status is listed as threatened in their native Central and South America ranges. Kinkajou are referred to as “honey bears” because of the color of their fur, though they are not related to bears.

Thanks to Matt T. for the photo.

Meet Avery, named by one of our visitors who won the naming opportunity during our monthlong 95th Anniversary celebration. Avery is a female kinkajou who has had quite a backstory. She was placed here after being confiscated by federal wildlife officials via the AZA’s Wildlife Confiscations Network, of which SF Zoo is partnering to provide care and a temporary or permanent home for animals caught up in illegal wildlife trafficking. At just 2-4 years old, she is doing well, settling in and will be paired with our male kinkajou, who was brought here under similar circumstances. The kinkajou is an arboreal member of the raccoon family with a long, prehensile tail that it uses for balance and hanging from tree branches. Their status is listed as threatened in their native Central and South America ranges and are referred to as “honey bears” because of the color of their fur, though they are not related to bears. So far, she is doing well and like all kinkajous, quite adorable! See her across from the sifaka habitat! (Photo by Matt T.)

13/07/2024

It looks like the gorillas at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium got some fun enrichment this week in the form of a bubble party. Bo particularly enjoyed his special "soap-prise" of baby-safe bubble bath!

Our gorillas bubbled with excitement this week as they cooled off with a foam party. Bo particularly enjoyed his special "soap-prise" of baby-safe bubble bath!