Latest news with #ZooKnoxville
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
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North America's tiniest turtle is at risk. Zoo Knoxville is helping improve its odds
North America's tiniest turtle is at risk, with a dwindling population and shrinking bog habitat. Zoo Knoxville's work gives the species a better chance at survival. The increasingly rare reptile is the bog turtle, an animal known for its small size − growing to only about 4 inches long by adulthood − and secretive behavior. "Everybody involved in bog turtle work gets very, very secretive and very protective about the bog sites, just because the illegal pet trade and poaching is an issue with these guys, because they are a very cute, adorable turtle," said Charlotte Carruth, who is the lead keeper in Zoo Knoxville's bird department, but also works in the herpetology department. "So everybody keeps their sites very secret and protected. So I can say they're in Eastern Tennessee at high elevation, but that's about as much as I can say." Their wetland habitat of bogs and fens is sparse to begin with. "There's still not a lot known about (bog turtles) just because mountain bogs are one of the rarest environments and ecosystems to find," Carruth said. Today, these sites are increasingly at risk, as they're often cleared and drained for other uses, Carruth said. There are two bog turtle populations, the northern bog turtle and southern bog turtle, the latter of which are now known to live in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, with the majority in North Carolina. The northern bog turtle was classified as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1997, according to Will Harlan, southeast director and senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit that focuses on conservation. The organization is working to grant the southern bog turtle similar protections. In November, the Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for delaying Endangered Species Act protections for the southern bog turtle, according to a news release. In April, the two entities reached an agreement requiring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to make a decision about the protections by October 2028. While all bog turtles face the risks of poaching and a habitat that grows increasingly rare, a proposed change to the Endangered Species Act puts threatened bog turtles further in danger. The proposed rule from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration would redefine "harm" in the act so that it no longer includes habitat modification, meaning the act would no long protect the habitats of endangered species. Zoo Knoxville has been working with bog turtles since 1986, when former curator of herpetology Bern Tryon helped discover them in Tennessee, Carruth said. Through a collaboration with state and federal agencies such as the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoo Knoxville conducts a "head-start" program that improves the turtles chances of surviving in the wild. Eggs are collected from bog sites and brought to Knoxville, where they are hatched and raised for about a year. In the wild, bog turtles are dormant during the winter months, but at the zoo, they're kept warm and awake. Unlike their wild peers, the head-start turtles can use this time to eat and grow. They're fed crickets, earthworms, phoenix worms and isopods, sometimes coated with calcium powder for extra nutrients, and kept at the Clayton Family Amphibian Reptile Conservation Campus in a miniature bog habitat complete with heat lamps and UV-B lighting. When they're released, the zoo's turtles are about the size of a 3-year-old turtle raised in the wild, giving them a better chance of survival. This year, 34 bog turtles were raised by Zoo Knoxville and are slated to be returned to their natural habitat in June. The head-start team will be able to continue to monitor them with the help of special markings, a painless notch cut into part of each turtle's shell. Since the program began, about 280 bog turtles have gotten their start in life at Zoo Knoxville and been returned to the wild, according to Zoo Knoxville's website. Hayden Dunbar is the storyteller reporter. Email Support strong local journalism by subscribing at This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tiniest turtle in U.S. is at risk. Zoo Knoxville helps protect it
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Zoo Knoxville welcomes two new rhinos ahead of new exhibit opening
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Rhino Reserve exhibit is coming to Zoo Knoxville, where it will be home to two southern white rhinos named Mylo and Ranger. Here's when the public will first be able to meet them. The Rhino Reserve exhibit is opening to the public over Memorial Day weekend. The official launch date is set for Friday, March 23. Mechanical issue delays opening of Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool At the Rhino Reserve exhibit, Zoo Knoxville said it will have two southern white rhinos, half-brothers Mylo and Ranger. Both rhinos are a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium's Species Survival Plan, which is a collaborative program that works to maintain genetically healthy and sustainable populations at accredited zoos. 'We're so excited to welcome Mylo and Ranger and continue Zoo Knoxville's legacy with Southern White Rhinos,' said Zoo Knoxville President and CEO Bill Street. 'This is an amazing opportunity to share the story of these incredible animal ambassadors with our guests and inspire a deeper connection to wildlife and conservation.' The zoo said Rhino Reserve will not only be offering visitors close-up views of the animals. It will also include educational elements about rhino conservation and the threats the species faces in the wild, which includes habitat loss and poaching. The state-of-the-art space is designed to engage guests while supporting the health and well-being of the animals. There are only around 18,000 southern white rhinos in the wild. The species is the largest of the five rhino species, and thanks to conservation efforts, the population has rebounded from the brink of extinction. Tennessee State Veterinarian issues alert for flesh-eating parasite According to Zoo Knoxville, southern white rhinos weigh nearly 5,000 pounds and can hit speeds of 30 miles per hour when they decide to. The species is native to the open grasslands of Africa and spend most of their time grazing and acting as 'nature's lawnmowers,' the zoo said. Zoo Knoxville does have a long and successful history of working with southern white rhinos, and Rhino Reserve is another exciting milestone in the zoo's commitment to rhino preservation. Previously, the zoo has also participated in breeding programs that contribute to the survival of the species. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
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Zoo Knoxville to host Deaf Awareness Day with sign language interpretation
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Zoo Knoxville plans to host a Deaf Awareness Day on Monday, April 28, with American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. The day is meant to highlight the importance of accessibility and inclusivity for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and to 'celebrate Deaf culture.' East TN families receive refunds as cabinet business files for bankruptcy Volunteer ASL students will interpret select chats at the following times: Joe the Sloth: 10 a.m. Herpetology: 10:30 a.m. Otters: 11 a.m. Birds: 11:30 a.m. Apes: 1 p.m. 'I think it's great because unfortunately, a lot of times, people in general are unaware about the deaf and hard of hearing culture and the language of American Sign Language,' said Craig Lemak, a member of Knoxville's deaf community. 'So, it's really nice to give the community an opportunity to experience what ASL is and what the deaf and hard of hearing community is all about — and also to learn the significance of equal access.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
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Zoo Knoxville gives insight into new Malayan Tiger's adjustment
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Zoo Knoxville's newest Malayan tiger, who was brought in as part of a breeding recommendation, is settling in. On Wednesday, the zoo gave 6 News a look behind the scenes into how he is adjusting to his new home. Last week, Zoo Knoxville shared that it had welcomed 10-year-old male Malayan tiger named Jango through a Species Survival Program by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. According to the zoo, he is considered the most genetically valuable male Malayan tiger in the world. New macaw aviary opens at Zoo Knoxville, offering up-close experiences Since he has arrived, Jango has slowly been adjusting to his new habitat slowly, with zoo staff keeping a close eye on him to make sure he is not too stressed by the changes. Zookeepers have been working to make sure the tiger has plenty of enrichment among meeting his other needs while also keeping up with training sessions. As keepers work with Jango, one of the tools they use is considered a 'Jackpot,' Director of Animal Care, Conservation and Education Phil Colclough explained. For Jango, that Jackpot is essentially 'watered down blood.' 'It's the same stuff whenever you thaw out ground beef at home, you get that that albumin and that liquid that would that occurs at the bottom and we save that and use that for our training. That's a real jackpot. That's a real thing that that they like a whole lot,' Colclough said. 'We want to make sure that our animals participate as much in their own veterinary healthcare as is possible. So we really want our our animals to be able to open up their mouths on command or raise up so you can see their bellies and look into their eyes and get all those things done that you need to do without actually sedating them to do that.' When he isn't training, eating, or taking part in enrichment activities like pulling or dragging things around, he's likely sleeping. Zookeeper Wendy Boulger explained that Malayan tigers, like Jango, sleep for upwards of 16 to 20 hours per day. Jango was recommended to breed with the zoo's female Malayan tiger Batarai, who is among the top 10 most genetically valuable female tigers of her subspecies, according to Boulger. Neither tiger have produced cubs before, and the pairing was chosen to help preserve the subspecies' genetic diversity. There are several subspecies of tigers, Boulger explained, and Malayan tigers are the second smallest subspecies. Two children laid to rest after adoptive parents plead guilty in Roane-Knox County child abuse case Although the zoo has been attempting to breed Malayan tigers for around a decade, they have been unsuccessful so far. Boulger explained they are hoping Batari and Jango's more 'spunky' personalities will make a good pairing that results in cubs. Colclough also explained that the zoo had previously hoped to breed Batari with their other male Malayan tiger, Tahan, but because of his age and how stressful breeding can be on tigers, the decision was made that he was too old to be responsibly bred. She said in the wild, there are estimated to be 200 or less Malayan tigers left. While the hope is that conservation may be able to prevent the subspecies from becoming extinct in the wild, the Malayan tiger faces that possibility because of poaching and deforestation for palm oil farming. 'We want to make sure that these specific species are not cross breeding with other species, that these guys are specific to Malaysia and that these Malayan tigers that are losing their habitat, they are being poached and killed for other reasons. That if we were need needing to release them out to the wild far down the line, if it were to ever be that they do go extinct in the wild, that we have specific Malayan tigers to go into the wild.' Boulger said. 'I want it fixed' East TN woman's new wooden flooring falling apart In addition to visiting Zoo Knoxville, where part of the ticket cost goes toward conservation efforts, one way that people can help with the conservation of the Malayan tiger is by researching and purchasing sustainably made items containing palm oil, both Boulger and Colclough said. 'There is a PalmOil Scan app that you can download on your phone. That helps you find sustainable products in stores. Whether it there be candy, shampoo, you know body wash, things like that… Palm oil is found in pretty much everything,' Boulger explained. The PalmOil Scan app, created by the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is available for download from Google Play and the Apple App Store. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- General
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New Malayan tiger ‘Jango' arrives at Zoo Knoxville
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Zoo Knoxville has welcomed a new 10-year-old Malayan tiger who they say is considered one of the most 'genetically valuable' Malayan tigers in the world. The zoo made the announcement on Wednesday, saying the tiger named 'Jango' arrived from Dickerson Park Zoo. According to Zoo Knoxville, Jango has been settling into his new home and will eventually be introduced to Batari, the zoo's 11-year-old female Malayan tiger, as part of a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan. Evacuations issued after gas leak in Greenback near Highway 95 'We're excited to welcome Jango to Zoo Knoxville and to play a role in the survival of his species,' said Bill Street, Zoo Knoxville's President and CEO. 'Pairing Jango with our female Batari is an important step in ensuring the future of Malayan tigers, and we hope their introduction will contribute to the preservation of this critically endangered species.' There is estimated to be fewer than 200 Malayan tigers in the wild, meaning Jango's genetics are crucial to maintaining a healthy and diverse population under human care. The Zoo's website lists the tigers as 'critically endangered,' with only an estimated 4,500 being left in the wild between all subspecies. Tennessee's longest-serving city manager announces plans to retire Previously, Zoo Knoxville explained that tigers can be difficult to breed as the species is solitary and only comes together for breeding in the wild. The zoo had hoped to see sparks fly between Batari and 16-year-old male tiger Tahan, who arrived at Zoo Knoxville in 2023. The Zoo also shared in 2023 that Malayan tigers are often moved from zoo to zoo in hopes of making a match. Although the possibility of a match between Batari and Jango is still up in the air, Zoo Knoxville said guests will be able to see Jango in the Tiger Forest habitat as he settles into his new surroundings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
