Latest news with #AssociationofZoos&Aquariums
Miami Herald
02-07-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Orangutan doesn't show interest in baby, but zoo staff with furry vests has plan
A newborn orangutan is receiving around-the-clock care at a Utah zoo after her mother didn't show much interest in her, officials said. 'There's a new face in the Great Apes Building,' the Hogle Zoo said in a June 30 post on Instagram, announcing that the baby was born June 21 'weighing just over three pounds.' Because second-time mama orangutan Kawan had previously declined to care for her first infant at a zoo in Wisconsin, the staff prepared for that possibility again this time around, officials said in the post and in a news release earlier in June. 'After the birth, Kawan showed encouraging signs, gently interacting with her baby,' officials said in the post and in a news release. 'However, the team did not observe successful nursing, which is essential within 24 hours. We provided positive reinforcement to encourage Kawan to nurse and remained hopeful.' The team sought guidance from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and the Orangutan Species Survival Plan and discussed the baby's best interest, ultimately deciding 'to hand-rear the infant,' and provide her with around-the-clock care, officials said. 'Kawan's motherhood journey has been complex, and we're proud of the effort she made and the maternal interest she showed,' officials said. Now the team is taking measures to care for the infant in the best and most natural way possible. 'To replicate how orangutans cling to their mothers, caregivers provide 24/7 support using specialized vests that mimic orangutan fur, encouraging her to hang on naturally,' officials said. 'She has faced some challenges in consistently eating and gaining weight, so our focus is on stabilizing the infant. We are monitoring her weight gain and using a variety of bottles, formulas, and medicines to provide her with the nutrition she needs.' Video shows the baby clinging to the vest as she looks around with wide eyes. The team hopes to place the baby orangutan with a foster mother at the zoo. 'We've been working with Acara, who fostered her brother Tuah in 2014, to reinforce her maternal behaviors,' officials said. 'Acara has been introduced to the infant and has responded with gentle interest.' Someone hoped the plan would work in the comments. 'I loved watching Acara become Tuah's momma, I hope she does just as well here,' they said. 'We are working around the clock to give this baby the very best chance,' officials said. 'The infant will stay behind the scenes for several months and will not be viewable to the public.' The Hogle Zoo is in Salt Lake City.
CBS News
18-02-2025
- General
- CBS News
Pittsburgh Zoo welcomes 4 bison to its International Conservation Center
The Pittsburgh Zoo is welcoming four bison to its International Conservation Center in Somerset. The male and three females, who were born this summer and are approximately eight months old, arrived at the conservation center in December. "This is the beginning of an exciting breeding and reintroduction program that will repatriate bison to indigenous territories across the United States," said International Conservation Center director Ayeshah Al-Humaidhi in a press release. "The herd will also provide training opportunities for animal care managers across zoological institutions and our Native American partners." Most bison today aren't pure bison but are genetically mixed with cattle. The zoo says its four bison represent the purest stock in North America because genetic integrity plays an important role in bison conservation. Bison are listed as near threatened and ecologically extinct, meaning they no longer play a critical role in shaping prairie biodiversity, the zoo says. Bison once numbered in the millions, but hunting and habitat loss dwindled the population down to a little over a thousand at the turn of the 20th century. The bison come to the conservation center through a partnership with a nature reserve in Montana called American Prairie. Both the zoo and American Prairie are part of an Association of Zoos & Aquariums program that aims to recover bison and restore their native habitat by merging the resources of AZA facilities and Indigenous groups. "We are thrilled to partner with the ICC and contribute to this important new program to help grow bison populations across North America," Scott Heidebrink, American Prairie's director of landscape stewardship, said in a news release. "We have spent the past 20 years restoring bison to their native prairie home and look forward to seeing even more of these iconic mammals on this historic landscape." The zoo says the bison will serve as ambassadors for their species at the conservation center, helping visitors understand the role they play in the ecosystem and the importance of preserving their natural habitats.
USA Today
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Cute little 'meatball.' Meet Bakso, the new tiger cub at Disney's Animal Kingdom
Cute little 'meatball.' Meet Bakso, the new tiger cub at Disney's Animal Kingdom Show Caption Hide Caption Meet Bakso: Adorable Sumatran tiger cub makes debut at Animal Kingdom Endangered Sumatran tiger cub Bakso has made his big debut on Maharajah Jungle Trek at Disney's Animal Kingdom. A grrreat animal is capturing hearts at Walt Disney World. Bakso, an adorable 5-month-old Sumatran tiger cub, can now be seen by Animal Kingdom park guests. He was the first tiger cub to be born at the park in seven years, with twins Anala and Jeda born in 2017. They have since been relocated to the San Antonio Zoo in Texas as part of the Species Survival Plan. Where is Animal Kingdom located? Animal Kingdom is located in Central Florida's Lake Buena Vista, outside Orlando. Is Animal Kingdom an accredited zoo? Disney's Animal Kingdom, as well as The Seas at EPCOT, are accredited by the industry-leading Association of Zoos & Aquariums for ensuring excellence in animal management, care and treatment. The AZA is dedicated to the development of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education and science. What kind of tigers are in Animal Kingdom? Animal Kingdom houses multiple Sumatran tigers, one of the rarest animals in the world. They are native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, specifically its forests and swamps. According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, there are less than 600 Sumatran tigers left in the world. Their endangered status is attributed to hunting and habitat loss. Despite technically being a "big cat," they are on the smaller side compared to other tigers, the International Tiger Project shares. They also highlight the coat of the Sumatran tiger, saying its stripes are closer together and its fur is darker orange than other tigers to allow it to blend into its tropical rainforest habitat. Disney notes the tigers' dwindling population online, saying the company is committed to saving wildlife and nature through its nonprofit "Disney Conservation Fund." When was Bakso born? Bakso was born on Sept. 26, 2024, to mom Sohni and dad Conrad, who also reside in Animal Kingdom. Disney World officials described the arrival as an "important milestone" for its theme park and the conservation of the Sumatran tiger species. "Bakso symbolizes hope for the future of his species, representing powerful efforts in partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Species Survival Plan, to help safeguard and rebuild populations of endangered species in managed care globally," Disney said in a statement. What does his name mean? A "bakso" is an Indonesian meatball. Where are the tigers located in Animal Kingdom? Bakso and his tiger family are found at the Maharajah Jungle Trek in the Asia section of the theme park.
