Latest news with #MemphisZoo
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Zoo's 'curious' Komodo dragon ingests shoe thrown into exhibit: 'Please do not feed them shoes'
The Brief A curious Komodo dragon ate a Croc shoe at the Memphis zoo after a guest threw it into their exhibit. Thankfully, someone quickly reported it so the Komodo dragon could quickly be taken to the animal hospital. Ophelia dragon is expected to make a full recovery. Staff members at the Memphis Zoo are urging their guests not to throw anything into animal exhibits after one of their Komodo dragons ate a shoe. What we know The zoo posted on Facebook that they got a report of a guest throwing a shoe – a picture shows it was a Croc – over the top of the glass at the Komodo dragon exhibit. What they're saying "Being curious, one of our Komodo dragons approached the shoe and ingested it," the zoo said on social media. RELATED: Alligator made famous in 'Happy Gilmore' dies at more than 80 years old Thankfully, the zoo said, another guest reported it quickly so the zoo's veterinary team could get it to the zoo's animal hospital. The shoe was removed, and "Ophelia dragon is expected to make a full recovery." What we don't know It's unclear if the zoo found out which guest threw the shoe into the exhibit and whether that guest will face any consequences. READ MORE: Video: Pet raccoon caught on camera sitting in driver's seat with glass meth pipe during traffic stop "Our animals have their own specific diets," the zoo said. "Please do not feed them food, shoes, or anything at all. They get lots of tasty treats and good food every day!" RELATED: Young spider monkey rescued from home in California The zoo also encouraged guests to report things that look like they don't belong in exhibits. The Source This report includes information from the Memphis Zoo.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Komodo dragon eats shoe thrown into zoo exhibit
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Komodo dragon ingested a Memphis Zoo guest's shoe after they threw it over the glass of the exhibit on Thursday, according to the Memphis Zoo on Facebook. In a Facebook post, a Memphis Zoo guest threw a red shoe over the top of the glass at the Komodo dragon exhibit, and the Komodo dragon ate the shoe. The zoo thanked a guest who spoke up, so their animal care and veterinary teams could immobilize the dragon. It was transported to the zoo's animal hospital, where the shoe was removed. According to the zoo, the dragon, Ophelia, is expected to make a full recovery. The Memphis Zoo reminded guests that their animals have their specific diets and not to feed them food, shoes, or anything at all. 'They get lots of tasty treats and good food every day,' said the Memphis Zoo. 'If you happen to see anything in our exhibits that looks like it doesn't belong, please find the nearest zoo staff member and alert them.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Peoria Zoo welcomes the newest spotted friend to their herd
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The Peoria Zoo welcomes a long-neck friend who transferred over from the Memphis Zoo. Fitzniklas, who goes by Fitz, is a giraffe who is just over one year old, and the zoo said he is energetic with a bright future, they said in a release. 'Fitz brings youthful energy and a bright future to our giraffe exhibit, where he will soon be joining our two resident female giraffes, Vivian and Emy,' they said. Fitz was brought to Peoria with careful coordination from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan. As is policy, Fitz is working to complete his quarantine period but has begun interacting with Emy and Vivian through a protective fence. 'Though separated by a protective fence for now, the trio have been spotted exchanging gentle nuzzles, offering a heartwarming preview of the bonds being formed,' the release said. Fitz is expected to finish his quarantine period next week, at which point visitors will be able to enjoy his presence in his new home with Emy and Vivian. His primary keeper, Lauren, said that he is fitting in well and the whole zoo is excited about his presence. 'Fitz is a sweet little guy with a lot of personality and curiosity,' said Lauren. 'He's going to fit in well with the girls, and they already love him as much as I, and the rest of the zoo crew, do.' For more updates on Fitz and other Zoo news, the release said to follow them on social media. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Budget missteps may lead to lack of money for city projects
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Brace yourself — it could be a rough upcoming budget season for the City of Memphis and it could affect you, the taxpayer. Some Memphis City Council members say budget missteps could mean there won't be additional money for projects like the Memphis Zoo and Mud Island Amphitheater renovations. It could also have an impact on public safety and pay raises. 'I think that we, as a council, probably messed up when we did not raise taxes enough (last year),' said Councilman Jeff Warren. 'The last time we raised taxes we were looking at one rate, and we backed it down, and I think that in retrospect that was a mistake.' Right now, there's a projected $883 million budget for fiscal year 2026 that the council will have to consider. Young presents budget with no tax increase; hotel tax passes 'It's very confusing to me that the council, not myself, but others, voted last year to increase property taxes so high, and we don't have a Regional One or a Frayser High School, or something like that, to show for it,' Councilwoman Jerri Green said. When it comes budget shortfall problems, Green says one of them is because of Clerk Wanda Halbert's delay in collecting Memphis' increased car-registration fees. 'I definitely think Clerk Halbert left us in a hole, looks like about a $10 million hole, and that is incredibly problematic,' she said. 'It was revenue that we were expecting. Doubling the wheel tax was not something that we wanted to do.' City says county clerk failed to collect $7M in fees for months Warren points at MATA funding issues and spending, which your News Leader recently investigated. 'We were hurt when we tried to continue to fund MATA and put $20 million here and $20 million there out of our reserve fund into trying to keep it going as a loan, that at this point looks like it's not going to be paid back,' he said. So, what does this possibly mean for you, the taxpayer? There's speculation there won't be additional funding for the Memphis Zoo, the Mud Island Amphitheater, and possibly city pay raises. Memphis Zoo says attendance dropped after 2022 crimes, leading to deficits 'There will be things that will be left out,' Green said. 'But our priorities need to be what the priorities of Memphians are. That means, you know, taking care of crime, so helping our police officers boost their numbers. It means cleaning up our streets.' 'We don't want to have our services drop,' Warren said. 'I know Mayor Young and the Council have been very vocal about wanting to make sure that we keep increasing the number of potholes we're filling and that we keep bringing down the crime rate.' Another expense the city is looking at is buying police body cameras costing an estimated $11 million. Right now, the city says there are no plans to dip into the general-fund tax dollars to make that purchase. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘The next bright light': Youth discuss community problems with city leaders
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Crime and mental health are just a few problems impacting our youth across Shelby County. While city and county officials are working to address the issues, others in the community are creating their own plans. When it comes to addressing concerns in our healthcare system, our education system, and even our criminal justice system, we've heard the solutions from our elected officials and even our community leaders. Now, our next generation of leaders is getting the opportunity to let their voices be heard. State commits $20M for Memphis Zoo expansion 'So, one really big thing that we live by is, 'Nothing about us without us,' a summit employee said. Saturday morning, hundreds of youth across Shelby County gathered at Bridges USA in downtown Memphis for one purpose. 'Young people are invested and they want to be involved in their future and they're just waiting for adults to listen to them and that's what this is an opportunity for them to do,' said Ayzia Alexander, the Adult Supervisor for the Shelby County Youth Council. In collaboration with the Memphis Youth City Council, the Shelby County Youth Council's Youth Voice Summit is an opportunity for young people to discuss problems in their community, come up with solutions and then share their ideas with local elected officials. 'I remember being younger than 18 and people not listening to me when all of these things affected me,' Alexander said. 'So, as a result, I think it's imperative that we listen to them and that we allow them to blossom and create this world that we're living in.' Organizers said those who attended the summit discussed various topics such as education and public safety. The workshops and sessions were all led by other youth. Fun events happening in Memphis this weekend One young man leading a group discussion about mental health was 14-year-old Marc Williams. 'I just want to end the stigma or the thought that youth in Memphis are troublemakers and they have nothing to do, which is really not true at all,' Williams said. 'We have a lot of youth here honestly. This is more than I even thought of.' Shakira Braden, 16, told WREG she wants to encourage others her age to speak up about the issues they care about. 'We are the next bright light in this generation and we should be advocating for problems that will potentially impact us,' Braden said. If you are interested in learning more about the Shelby County Youth Council, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
