odinmatthews979

Hank arrived at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on December 8, 2011 and began a standard quarantine period at the Zoo. His quarantine period is now complete and Hank is ready to make his debut and meet the Zoo's guests. Weighing in at an impressive 15,600 lbs. and standing 9' 5" tall, Hank is the largest elephant in a North American zoo and will no question win over the hearts of many. The Columbus Zoo elephant experts now care for four elephants and hope Hank might contribute to the population of Asian elephants within zoos. In the past ten years only 13 Asian elephants have been born successfully in nine AZA zoos in the U.S. including Beco and Bodhi at the Columbus Zoo. An endangered species, Asian elephants are represented by an estimated 38,000 to 51,000 individuals in range countries. Fragmented wild populations, agriculture, deforestation and conflict with humans pose a constant threat to wild Asian elephants. Visit Hank Friday, Jan. 13 through Monday, Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will be a celebration at 11 a.m. on Monday for Hank's 24th birthday. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is home to more than 9,000 animals representing 675 species and provides more than $1 million annually to support over 70 conservation projects worldwide. A recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium hosts more than two million visitors annually and was named the #1 Zoo in America by USA Travel Guide. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator's prestigious 4-star rating. For more information and to purchase advance Zoo admission tickets, visit www.columbuszoo.org.

E.T. is a 31-year-old Pacific walrus at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington. He weighs over 3,400 lbs and is one of only 17 walruses in U.S. zoos and aquariums. E.T. came to the Zoo as an orphan from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. E.T. is named for his wrinkled resemblance to alien in the popular 1982 movie "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial."

A black-and-white colobus monkey was born at the Saint Louis Zoo's Primate House on Halloween, Oct. 31, 2012. Her name is Kivuli (pronounced Kih-VOO-lee), which is Swahili for ghost or shadow. Cecelia, age 13, is raising her first baby under the watchful eye of the group's matriarch, Roberta, age 25, who has two offspring of her own — 1-1/2-year-old male, Mosi, and 5-month-old female, Pili. Colobus infants are born with all white hair and a pink face. In contrast, adults are primarily black, with white hair encircling their face and half of their tail. They have a distinctive mantle of long white hair extending from their shoulders around the edge of their back. Infants will change color gradually until they reach adult coloration at about 6 months. "Primates rely heavily on learning through experience," says Joe Knobbe, Saint Louis Zoo manager of primates. "Cecelia is being a great mother to her infant thanks to the wonderful example of parenting she's learned from Roberta." The family of six, including father Kima, age 6, is now on view at the Primate House. Visitors can see the infant poking its head out to look at its new world. Colobus monkeys are found throughout the forests of east and central Africa. The birth is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Colobus Species Survival Plan (SSP), a program to manage a genetically healthy population of black and white colobus monkeys in North American zoos.

Guests will be seeing double with the recent additions at Brookfield Zoo. Two gray seals were born on January 9 and 10. The female pups are currently behind the scenes bonding with their mothers, Lily and Tasha, and are practicing their swimming skills in a pool specially designed for the newborns. This modified pool is shallow, which allows the pups to practice navigating in their aquatic environment with easy access out. The pups will make their public debut sometime in early spring. This is the fourth successful birth for Lily, who turns 16 on January 25. Her previous offspring—all males born in 2014, 2016, and 2017—are currently on breeding loans at other accredited North American zoos. The other pup is the first successful birth for 16-year-old Tasha. The two moms are half-sisters and arrived at Brookfield Zoo in November 2007. The sire of both newborns is 19-year-old Kiinaq (pronounced KEY-knack), who arrived at Brookfield Zoo in 2018. Kiinaq was stranded in the wild and deemed unreleasable when he was only a few months old.

Sea Dragon is the oldest roller coaster remaining from famed designer John Allen, earning it the distinction as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark. During the height of the postwar baby boom of the 1950s, amusement parks began adding junior-sized roller coasters, designed for younger riders. John Allen, president of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, began designing his own coasters after taking control of PTC in 1954. Among his first designs were three nearly identical junior wooden coasters that opened between 1956 and 1957, at three different parks. The first was at a zoo amusement park, located adjacent to the Columbus Zoo in Powell, Ohio, with construction supervised by PTC’s Frank Hoover. Originally called Jet Flyer, the coaster has a height of 37 feet, reaching a top speed of 25 mph along 1,320 feet of track. The coaster was based on earlier junior coasters designed by Allen’s mentor, Herbert Schmeck. This classic design takes riders in a figure-eight pattern through dips and turns, and is intended for a more family-friendly audience. The coaster was renamed Sea Dragon in 1984 after the park was leased to Funtime, Inc., and the park rebranded to Wyandot Lake. Six Flags took control of the park from 1996 un6l 2006, and a year later, management returned to the Columbus Zoo, which annexed the park and included a complete refurbishment of the coaster. All have provided the care needed to keep this classic running for the last 66 years, making it the oldest operating wooden roller coaster in the state of Ohio. While its sister rides, “the Flyer” at Hunt’s Pier and “Valley Volcano” at Angela Park have been lost to the test of time, Sea Dragon still offers riders a chance to experience a piece of history at the Columbus Zoo. Sea Dragon is also recognized as an ACE Coaster Classic, owing to its traditional operating methods including hand-pulled manual brakes and no seat dividers.

A male Somali wild ass foal named Tobias was born at the Saint Louis Zoo on July 30, 2019, to mother Tukia, who came to St. Louis from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 2005, and father Hirizi, who was born at the Saint Louis Zoo in 2013. Tobias weighed 51 pounds at birth and can now be seen daily with his mother and two adult females in their habitat at the Red Rocks area of the Zoo. Critically Endangered The Somali wild ass, a subspecies of the African wild ass, is a critically endangered member of the horse family. They are found in small numbers in desert areas of Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia in the Horn of Africa. There are currently only 68 Somali wild asses in North American zoos, with seven at the Saint Louis Zoo. The fact that only four other zoos in North America have bred this species makes this little foal an important addition. The birth of this new foal is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP), a program responsible for maintaining a genetically healthy population of Somali wild asses in North American zoos. The Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Center for Conservation in the Horn of Africa, in partnership with other conservation organizations, supports field research and conservation programs to study and preserve the rare African wild ass and its arid habitat. African wild asses face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild, for a number of reasons. Some local people hunt the asses for food and for use in traditional medicine. Hunting has taken a greater toll in recent years, as political unrest in the area has allowed better access to automatic weapons. Other problems they face are brought about by increasing human populations and the expansion of agriculture. More and more, wild asses are competing with domestic livestock for limited grazing grounds and water sources, and as the wild and domestic animals come into contact, there is more and more interbreeding – another serious threat to wild asses.

The Milwaukee County Zoo is betting millions, and much of its future, on its new elephant exhibit at a time when many other zoos are getting out of the elephant business entirely.

A two-week-old baby orangutan made her debut at Chicago's Brookfield Zoo. Zoo officials say the unnamed female Bornean orangutan was born December 20 to 35-year-old Sophia and father Ben and made her first public appearance on Tuesday at the zoo's Tropic World: Asia habitat. Zoo officials say she can be seen most mornings, continuously clinging to her mother. Orangutans are considered critically endangered species. The Brookfield Zoo says currently 94 Bornean orangutans and 87 Sumatran orangutans live in North American zoos

The Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, is happy to announce the birth of a male addax on July 2. The birth of this African antelope is a welcomed addition as the species is critically endangered and on the brink of extinction in the wild with an estimated population of possibly less than 100 individuals. For the next few weeks, the calf, born to 5-year-old Simone and sired by 8-year-old Ishnala, will spend a majority of his time in a nesting area, which is behind the scenes. However, he has begun to venture outdoors where guests can see him in one of the 31st Street habitats on the northwest side of the zoo. The pairing of Simone and Ishnala was based on a recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Addax Species Survival Plan (SSP). An SSP is a cooperative population management and conservation program for select species in accredited North American zoos and aquariums. Each plan manages the breeding of a species to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable. The Chicago Zoological Society has been an active participant in the Addax SSP since its inception in 1989. Currently, there are 163 addax in 22 accredited North American institutions. Brookfield Zoo has exhibited addax since 1935, and in 1941 was the first zoo in North America to have an addax birth.

Over the past three months the addax population has nearly doubled at Brookfield Zoo with the birth of four male calves. The most recent one was born September 4 to Mona, 15. The calf can be seen with the rest of the herd, including his three half-brothers who were born on June 7, June 24, and August 11. All the births are important for the species, which is near the brink of extinction in the Sahara deserts of Africa. Nearly 200 addax live in 19 accredited North American zoos, with about 300 individuals living in the wild, so every addax birth is crucial to saving these beautiful antelope. The pairing of the four adult females—Sara, 4; Martha, 13; Mali, 5; and Mona—with Winston, 12, the sire, was based on a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Addax Species Survival Plan (SSP). An SSP is a cooperative population management and conservation program for the species in North American zoos. The program manages the breeding of addax in zoos to maintain a healthy, self-sustaining population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable. The calves will play a vital role in its species' survival. Brookfield Zoo has exhibited addax antelope since 1935 and has contributed 144 calves to the North American population since 1941, when it had the first calf born in the United States. Once abundant, addax are now found mostly in Niger, according to researchers, with roughly two-thirds of the remaining wild population living there. Only a handful of free-roaming addax are found in countries like Chad, Mauritania, and possibly Mali. However, there is hope for the species thanks to an international collaborative effort. The Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, is one of more than 40 organizations worldwide that have provided support for the reintroduction of zoo-born addax into fenced reserves in Tunisia. Addax are the most desert-adapted antelope, with wide hooves that are extra large and spread out, perfect for staying on top of loose sand. Their legs are shorter than those of most antelope, giving them a low center of gravity and keeping them steady—even when the sand shifts under foot. They get nearly all the moisture they need from the sap of vegetation and from dew, going almost their entire lives without drinking water at all. When vegetation is not available, they live off the water stored in their body fat. Addax have some of the most impressive horns of all antelope. In older individuals, they can spiral almost three turns and extend nearly three feet. Addax are one of a group of species called "horse-like antelope," which are unusual in that the females have horns as long as those of the males. The calves are born with "horn buds" which begin to grow into horns after the first few weeks.

Giant River Otters, although cute and cheeky, eat about 12 pounds of fish a day and are considered hunters in their native habitat in the Amazon. Giant otters are endangered and the rarest mammal on the South American continent, facing threats from hunting and habitat loss. Buddy, a blind otter from Guyana, was rescued and taken to Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens so that he can thrive. He became the first blind otter to produce offspring and help father his pups. Produced by Gemstone Media Inc.

A male black and white colobus monkey, also known as Guereza colobus (Guh-REZ-uh KOL-uh-bus), named Ziggy was born at the Saint Louis Zoo’s Primate House on Jan. 10, 2016. Ziggy’s name is a nod to rock star David Bowie who passed away on the day the infant was born. In this video, big sister, 3-year-old Kivuli, is holding her baby brother. She’s quite taken with the new infant and takes her role very seriously as the oldest daughter of the dominant female of the group, Cecelia. Colobus infants are born with all white hair and a pink face. In contrast, adults are primarily black, with white hair encircling their faces and half of their tails. Adults have a distinctive mantle of long white hair extending from their shoulders around the edge of their backs. Infants will change gradually until they reach adult coloration at about 6 months. Cecelia, age 16, is the dominant female in the group and an experienced mother who is taking great care of her newborn and 1-year-old Simon. Her 3-year-old daughter Kivuli (Kih-VOO-lee) is an eager “babysitter.” Also in the family is 28-year-old matriarch Roberta, mother to 3-1/2-year-old daughter Pili (PEE-lee) and 2-year-old daughter Binti (BIN-tee). Nine-year-old father Kima (KEE-muh) watches proudly over the family. “Everyone in the colobus monkey family has a role in caring for newborns,” says Joe Knobbe, Zoological Manager of Primates at the Saint Louis Zoo. “Cecelia allows the young females some time with the infant, holding or even carrying him. They are learning important skills that will help them become great mothers, too, someday.” The family can be seen at the Primate House. Visitors can see the infant poking his head out to look at his new world. The colobus monkey is found throughout the forests of east and central Africa. The birth is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Colobus Species Survival Plan (SSP), a program to manage a genetically healthy population of black and white colobus monkeys in North American zoos. See more on these monkeys at

A black and white colobus monkey was born at the Saint Louis Zoo's Primate House on June 30, 2012. This video was taken when the infant was just a week old. Naming will await determination of the monkey's gender. The infant is the sibling of "Mosi," now 13 months old and the first colobus to be born at the Zoo in 11 years. Colobus infants are born with all white hair and a pink face. In contrast, adults are primarily black, with white hair encircling their face and half of their tail. They have a distinctive mantle of long white hair extending from their shoulders around the edge of their back. Infants will change color gradually until they reach adult coloration at about six months. The 24-year-old mother "Roberta" came to the Saint Louis Zoo in 2010 after attempts to introduce her to the colobus group at Binder Park Zoo in Michigan were unsuccessful. After the move to St. Louis, Roberta was easily integrated with the Zoo's 13-year-old female "Cecelia," and both the new baby's and Mosi's father, six-year-old "Kima." The family of five is now on exhibit. Visitors can see the infant poking its head out to look at its new world. "It was believed that Roberta, who is an experienced mother, was likely post-reproductive when she arrived here," says Ingrid Porton, curator of primates at Saint Louis Zoo. "Happily she proved this to be quite incorrect." Colobus monkeys are found throughout the forests of central Africa. The birth is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Colobus Species Survival Plan (SSP), a program to manage a genetically healthy population of black and white colobus monkeys in North American zoos. "Roberta is an attentive and protective mother. Mosi is very curious about the new infant and mom allows him to sniff the infant, but when he tries to touch, she has pushed him away," says Porton. "We are looking forward to the time when his sibling will be old enough to be Mosi's play partner."

The need for a global focus on conservation is critical. Zoos work to save animals from extinction. With your help we can and will make a difference in ensuring a future for species worldwide. Get involved. Make a donation. Effect change. We need you. Making a tax-deductible gift at icare.lazoo.org makes a difference to our conservation efforts.

A male black and white colobus monkey, also known as Guereza colobus, was born at the Saint Louis Zoo on Feb. 3, 2020. The baby, named Teak, can be seen with his large family at the Primate House during regular Zoo hours. The name was chosen by staff in reference to the beautiful tropical hardwood tree. Two of Teak’s siblings also have tree-themed names. The birth is part of the AZA Colobus Species Survival Plan (SSP), a program to manage a genetically healthy population of black and white colobus monkeys in North American zoos. Colobus infants are born with all white hair and a pink face. In contrast, adults are primarily black, with white hair encircling their faces and half of their tails. Baby Teak will stay with mom, Cecila for nursing and sleeping, but at times throughout the day, it’s common to see Teak’s sister Willow, 3, as well as his half-sister Binti, 6, interacting with and carrying the baby while mom eats or interacts with other members of the family. Also in the troop are brothers Hawthorn, Ziggy and Simon, ages 2, 4 and 5. Thirteen-year-old Kima, the father, can be seen watching stoically over his family and interacting with the youngsters. 📷& 🎥: Ethan Riepl, Primate Keeper Less

Rare Sumatran tiger cub cared for by staff at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington on May 1, 2013. The female cub is only the third Sumatran tiger born in North America this year. There are 74 Sumatran tigers in North American zoos, and an estimated 300 left in their native habitat on the Indonesian Island of Sumatra.

Cincinnati Zoo • Do any US zoos have pandas? ---------- Our mission is informing people correctly. This video was also made on the basis of these guidelines. In order to fully present the topic, it may be necessary in some cases to include details that may be objectionable to some.

A male Grevy’s zebra foal was born at the Saint Louis Zoo on July 19. Colton weighed 83 pounds at birth. His parents are mother, 15-year-old Tiombe, and father, 9-year-old Dewy. As of this week, visitors can now see the baby and his mother at the Red Rocks area of the Zoo. Colton is the ninth Grevy’s zebra foal in 10 years at the Saint Louis Zoo. In the last 40 years, the Zoo has celebrated 29 births to contribute to the Species Survival Plan for this endangered species. The Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Center for Conservation in the Horn of Africa supports conservation of the endangered Grevy’s zebra and other unique species in that region. Around the same time as Colton’s birth, a Grevy’s zebra was born in the wild in northern Kenya, where the Saint Louis Zoo supports Grevy’s zebra conservation efforts.

Animals Left To STARVE At Zoo Rescued | These animals were left to starve when the zoo where they lived shut down — but rescuers fought for two years to save them.

ZSL London Zoo keeper Adrian Walls talks us through the bigger and better penguin exhibit. 2metres deep and underwater viewing means the new pool is a truly interactive experience