Latest news with #AssociationofZoosandAquariums
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Lion Country Safari welcomes two female African lion cubs, launches live cub cam
Lion Country Safari, the drive-through park that is home to more than 85 species of animals in Loxahatchee, celebrated the birth of two African lion cubs in April, 2025. The cubs are currently bonding with their mother in a private area and are expected to make their public debut in the lion habitat in the coming months. They received their first health check on May 6, and the park's animal care staff say both cubs are in good health and developing well. The park is home to a pride of 12 African lions — five males and seven females — the largest group of its kind under human care within Association of Zoos and Aquariums institutions. The lions live in a 6-acre habitat equipped with specialized dens for birthing and daily care. The female cubs, sired by 10-year-old Vander and 5-year-old Mara, are currently unnamed. The park is inviting the public to vote for their favorite names on Lion Country Safari's website. Click here to vote For the first time in the park's nearly 60-year history, a live 'Cub Cam' has been launched, allowing global viewers to watch the cubs nurse, play, and grow in real time. Click here for the live stream Diamond Walker is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at dkwalker@ Help support our journalism. Subscribe today This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Lion Country Safari zoo welcomes African lion cubs, livestream cub cam
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Meet Chili: Lee Richardson Zoo welcomes giant anteater
GARDEN CITY, Kan. (KSNW) — A young giant anteater named Chili is the latest addition to Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City. The 3-year-old female, who arrived earlier this month from Fresno Chaffee Zoo in California, is slowly being introduced to her new surroundings and is expected to make her public debut later this week. Also known by her Spanish nickname 'Aji,' Chili has been behind the scenes in routine quarantine but was recently introduced to a holding area near her habitat. Zoo officials say she will make her public debut later this week, joining three greater rheas—two of which arrived last fall. Giant anteaters, native to Central and South America, are recognized for their long snouts and tongues used to feed on ants and termites. They lack teeth and rely on formic acid for digestion. Currently classified as Vulnerable, their populations are declining due to habitat loss, fires, and poaching. Doo-Dah Diner owners sell as they face health challenge Chili is part of a Species Survival Plan managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. About 90 giant anteaters live in nearly 50 accredited zoos across North America. Zoo visitors are encouraged to stop by the South American exhibit to see Chili and learn more about this unique species. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Abilene Zoo at forefront of preserving endangered secretary birds
ABILENE, Texas () – Pam and Jagger are the resident secretary birds at the Abilene Zoo, and Zoo Animal Care Supervisor Philip Nigro considers them an important pair. The population of this species has been declining in recent years, and the Abilene Zoo is the only institution accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that has a breeding pair. This month, they welcomed their fourth chick, which is the first secretary bird chick to be successfully bred in the United States this year. 'We just love to see things like this, to help an animal that not very many people probably know needs a lot of help because it's very endangered,' said Nigro. Abilene Zoo celebrates new bison calf & secretary bird chick Secretary birds are native to Africa, where they can most commonly be found hunting in tall grass. Their preferred diet helps to control pest populations such as insects, rodents, and snakes. Pam and Jagger hatched their first two chicks just three years ago, and those chicks were transferred to the Phoenix Zoo. Their third was born in 2024 and currently resides at the Abilene Zoo, where it was raised as a species ambassador. 'So he actually is more trained to go into classrooms or with children or more big groups of people and they can see them up close,' Nigro most recent chick is still too young to tell what its sex is and has not yet been named. Nigro says the baby chick was born about the size of a tennis ball and is now about the size of an American football at just under a month old. Once it has fully matured, Nigro says the chick will likely be transferred to another zoo. The repeated success of Abilene's secretary birds in breeding, Nigro says, is a positive trend for the species as a whole. Abilene Zoo welcomes birth of rare secretary chick 'This is a very big victory for the species. It's a big victory for Zoos, and at Abilene, we're here just trying to find out how we can better preserve these great birds,' said Nigro. There will soon be even more opportunities for the public to see the happy family, as the Abilene Zoo will begin holding earlier hours on Monday, June 2nd, for 'Roaring Mornings,' during which the zoo will be in operation from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Where are Billy and Tina?' Activists outraged after two Asian elephants vanish from the Los Angeles Zoo
Activists and fans of two Asian elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo are outraged after the two animals were transferred to a new home in the middle of the night. Billy, 40, and Tina, 59 – who have been at the facility for many years – vanished on Wednesday, after being pictured with shackles around their legs over the weekend. The pair's transfer to the Tulsa Zoo, in Oklahoma, has triggered controversy and lawsuits. A judge at the L.A. Superior Court last week denied a temporary restraining order that would have halted the move. "It's just really too bad, and there's a lot of broken hearts right now," Judie Mancuso, the founder and president of Social Compassion in Legislation, told ABC7. "We knew it was coming, with the shackles on them.' The outlet reported that aerial observers flying over Billy and Tina's enclosure on Tuesday were unable to see either animal. ABC7 contacted both the L.A. Zoo and Mayor Karen Bass' office, but received no response. The L.A. Zoo confirmed on Wednesday, however, that the elephants had arrived safely in Tulsa, where they will have more space, and other animals for them to interact with. Their new habitat totals 17 acres, including two barns, recently renovated and expanded yards, and a ten-acre wooded preserve that is part of a federally protected wetland not open to public viewing. The recently completed renovations also include a newly constructed 36,650-square-foot state-of-the-art elephant barn. According to the Los Angeles Times, Billy and Tina were transported together by truck in separate ventilated containers on a drive that took around 24 hours in total. The L.A. Zoo said that the drive had taken place overnight in hopes of optimal temperatures for the elephants and minimal traffic, but did not provide further details. The cost of moving the animals will be split between the two zoos, with L.A. paying $44,000. The zoo's website, which includes an FAQ section about the move, states that the Association of Zoos and Aquariums requires accredited zoos to maintain a herd of at least three elephants, due to their nature as social animals. Following the loss of two older elephants, Jewel in 2023 and Shaunzi last year, the L.A. Zoo acknowledged that it no longer met that standard. And the facility is currently unable to increase the size of its Asian elephant population. "Visitors to the L.A. Zoo have enjoyed watching and learning from Billy and Tina for years," a spokesperson for the zoo said in a previous statement shared with ABC7. "The difficult decision to relocate them was made in consultation with, and on the recommendation of, experts from around the country affiliated with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums,' the statement added. "Ultimately, this decision, as is the case with all animal care decisions at the L.A. Zoo, is driven by the unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of the animals."
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Blank Park Zoo breaks ground on roaring new lion conservation center
DES MOINES, Iowa — In April 2024, the Blank Park Zoo announced plans for the largest renovation project in its 60-year history, and on Tuesday morning, zoo leaders broke ground on phase one. The new lion conservation center will triple the space for the zoo's lions, while adding a trio of viewing experiences for guests, and even an immersive VIP viewing area. The exhibit is the first addition of the zoo's ongoing 'Expand the Impact' capital campaign an $18 million renovation project aimed at enhancing animal and guest experiences and conservation efforts. Quarry Springs Park in Colfax adds 40 new RV sites 'We're a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and so those are partners that we have throughout the United States that partner with not only best practices for animal management, but also for conservation programming. And so we're excited to be a part of this network. This new space will allow us to become one of the leaders in lion conservation. So, our work will be done, not only here in the United States, but we also work with the African Lion Safe Program, which stands for Saving Animals from Extinction. And that'll be, our work will extend internationally into the wild as well,' said Anne Shimerdla, President and CEO of the Blank Park Zoo. Leaders with the zoo say once the lions are moved into this new area, their existing exhibit will be used to expand the tiger area. The zoo says they're hoping for the new lion conservation center to be open to the public beginning late spring/early summer of 2026. Metro News: Blank Park Zoo breaks ground on roaring new lion conservation center Juvenile assaulted at Walnut Creek Campus in West Des Moines MercyOne releases statement about split with Medical Center Anesthesiologists Exile Brewing Company wins gold at world beer competition Some metro trails closed because of flash flooding Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
