Latest news with #AssociationofZoosandAquariums'
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Indu, Phoenix Zoo's Asian elephant, dies at age 59
The Brief Indu, the Phoenix Zoo's 59-year-old Asian elephant, was humanely euthanized on May 8. She had some health conditions that became too much to manage, and her mobility was declining. PHOENIX - The Phoenix Zoo gave an emotional farewell to its 59-year-old Asian elephant, Indu. What they're saying "Indu was a truly remarkable elephant who touched the hearts of everyone who had the privilege to know her. Her gentle spirit, intelligence and resilience inspired not only our staff but also the millions of guests who visited her over the years. Her legacy will live on through the stories we share, the connections she helped people form with wildlife and our continued commitment to the highest standards of animal care. She will be profoundly missed," the zoo said, in part. She was undergoing treatment for chronic osteoarthritis and age-related illnesses. She had several types of therapy, including hydrotherapy, laser therapy and physical therapy. However, the zoo says her condition became more and more difficult to manage, and her mobility was declining. On May 8, vets and keeper staff made the hard choice to humanely euthanize her. "We mourn the loss of Indu but take solace in the immense impact she had on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. We will honor her memory by continuing to advocate for the protection of her wild counterparts and supporting conservation efforts including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Asian Elephant SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program to ensure a brighter future for elephants everywhere," the zoo said. What's next Indu was the zoo's last elephant. At 59, she was considered elderly as the average life expectancy for her species is 48. The zoo says it has no plans to bring in another elephant. You can read more about Indu's passing and her legacy by clicking here.
USA Today
24-04-2025
- General
- USA Today
Endangered Galapagos tortoise babies debut in Philadelphia; zoo needs help picking names
Endangered Galapagos tortoise babies debut in Philadelphia; zoo needs help picking names Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises have been endangered for more than 200 years, with a prime threat being human conflict. Show Caption Hide Caption Century old tortoises become new parents at the Philadelphia Zoo Century old tortoise couple at the Philadelphia Zoo are new parents to four critically endangered Galapagos tortoises. Four critically endangered tortoise babies made their debut at the Philadelphia Zoo this week, just in time for a belated Earth Day celebration. Four Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises, born in February, made their debut in the Philadelphia Zoo's Reptile and Amphibian House on Wednesday, April 23. The babies were born to two of the zoo's oldest residents, Mommy and Abrazzo, with each estimated to be about 100 years old. Mommy has resided at the zoo since 1932, and Abrazzo joined more recently in 2020. The four new tortoises are a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan breeding program, which aims to protect species that are endangered and maintain a genetically diverse population. Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises are listed as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and have been endangered for more than 200 years, with prime threats being human-wildlife conflict, the introduction of invasive species and habitat loss, the Philadelphia Zoo reports. The last batch of Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises to hatch in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoo was in 2019 at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in South Carolina. Zoo asks for help in naming babies The zoo is looking for help in naming its new residents. Zoo staff came up with four different name combinations, based on varying themes: Female herpetologists: Mary, Joan, Grace and Hellen (named after Mary Cynthia Dickerson, Joan Beauchamp Proctor, Grace Olive Wiley and Helen Thompson Gaige) Mary, Joan, Grace and Hellen (named after Mary Cynthia Dickerson, Joan Beauchamp Proctor, Grace Olive Wiley and Helen Thompson Gaige) Celebrating Philadelphia: Liberty, Independence (Indy), Betsy and Belle Liberty, Independence (Indy), Betsy and Belle Golden Girls: Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia "In West Philadelphia born and raised...": Aunt Viv, Willie, Jazz and Avery (named after "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air") Voting is available on the Philadelphia Zoo website through 11:59 p.m. local time on Sunday, April 27. Here's what to know about visiting the Philadelphia Zoo The Philadelphia Zoo is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time. Admission for non-members is between $20 and $34. Children under the age of 2 are admitted for free. The zoo also offers behind-the-scenes visits with Mommy and Abrazzo on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. local time. Tickets are $65 per person and do not include zoo admission. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
South China Morning Post
21-04-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Philadelphia Zoo celebrates first Galapagos tortoise hatchlings in 150-year history
A pair of critically endangered, nearly 100-year-old Galapagos tortoises at the Philadelphia Zoo in the US have become first-time parents. The zoo said it was 'overjoyed' at the arrival of the four hatchlings, the first in its more than 150 years of history. The babies are the offspring of the female, Mommy, and male Abrazzo. The quartet is being kept behind the scenes inside the Reptile and Amphibian House, 'eating and growing appropriately,' the zoo said. They weigh between 70 and 80 grams. Mommy is recognised as one of the most genetically important Galapagos tortoises in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' species survival plan. She is the oldest first-time mother of the Western Santa Cruz Galapagos species. Answer: four hatchlings were born
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Zoo Atlanta welcomes critically endangered Sumatran Tiger
ATLANTA - Zoo Atlanta's newest addition knows that stripes are always in fashion. Buttercup, a 2-year-old Sumatran tiger, arrived at the zoo on Wednesday night from Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. What we know The move is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Sumatran Tiger Species Survival Plan, which recommended that Buttercup be paired with Zoo Atlanta's male Sumatran tiger, Bob. Buttercup is now completing a routine quarantine period of about a month before she'll be allowed to explore the zoo's John P. Imlay Tiger Habitat. Dig deeper Sumatran tigers are among the rarest cats on the planet and have been classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It's estimated that the species numbers fewer in 400 in the wild due to habitat loss and deforestation by palm oil plantations. The animals are the target of poachers, who sell their skins and bones. What they're saying "Zoo Atlanta is thrilled to welcome Buttercup and to share the important story that she and Bob have to tell as ambassadors for a critically endangered species," said Gina Ferrie, PhD, the zoo's vice president of Collections and Conservation. "In the case of Sumatran tigers, the species' most urgent conservation challenges are ones we can all influence here at home in our own daily lives." What's next The zoo will announce when Buttercup will be in the John P. Imlay Tiger Habitat at a later date. The Source Information for this story was provided by Zoo Atlanta.
CBS News
16-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
New Andean condor arrives at National Aviary
A new Andean condor has arrived at the National Aviary, with the hope that he'll play a role in conserving the species. The National Aviary on Wednesday introduced Chavín. Born in 1986, Chavín traveled to Pittsburgh from the Brandywine Zoo in Delaware to be a potential mate for Lianni, who lives at the aviary with her daughter Marijo. Chavín's arrival is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, which helps endangered species through accredited breeding programs. "By participating in these plans, the National Aviary takes an active role in the conservation of some of the world's most vulnerable species, including the Andean Condor. We're excited for this next chapter in our Andean Condor conservation efforts to grow this vulture family," the aviary wrote on Facebook . Weighing 30 pounds and possessing a wingspan of over 10 feet, the aviary says Andean condors are among the largest flying birds. While the vultures are long-lived, they reproduce slowly, usually laying a single egg and reproducing every other year. The species is listed as vulnerable throughout its range in South America and is critically endangered in Ecuador. Chavín joins Lianni, her offspring Marijo, who hatched at the aviary in 2022 , and Marijo's friend Illimani. The aviary says Bud, who was brought in to be Lianni's potential mate last year , was transferred to the Nashville Zoo as recommended through the Species Survival Plan.
