Latest news with #ZooMiami

Gorillas undergo exams before saying goodbye to Zoo Miami

Yahoo

11-05-2025

Health
Yahoo

Gorillas undergo exams before saying goodbye to Zoo Miami

MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA) — Two silverback gorilla siblings underwent a series of health exams Friday as they prepare to leave Zoo Miami later this month. Barney, a 31-year-old gorilla weighing 415 pounds, and his older brother, Shango, 36, who weighs 448 pounds, received full health examinations that, in addition to a general physical, included blood collection, a dental cleaning, tuberculosis testing, a cardiac ultrasound exam, vaccines for rabies and tetanus, and more. The procedures determined that both gorillas are in good health and cleared them to travel to their new home, the James and Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forest at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. There, they will represent the zoo's first-ever bachelor troop, a term used for young males who have left their family troop or adult males who have yet to form one. Western lowland gorillas are a critically endangered species facing threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and disease. The brothers, Barney and Shango, came to Zoo Miami in May 2017 as part of an exhibit loan from the Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas. Their departure at the end of May will allow for renovations to the great ape habitat at Zoo Miami to comply with updated Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulations. Their leaving marks the first time in 40 years that gorillas will be absent from Zoo Miami, and they are expected to remain absent for the foreseeable future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

A flock of babies born at Zoo Miami. They're small, fuzzy and peckish. Take a look

Miami Herald

10-05-2025

Science
Miami Herald

A flock of babies born at Zoo Miami. They're small, fuzzy and peckish. Take a look

Just in time for Mother's Day weekend, several exotic baby birds from unique species in Asia, Africa and tropical regions of the Americas will make their public debuts. Zoo Miami has been tending to the hatching of a cinereous vulture, a harpy eagle and a pair of Abdim's storks. Most of the new birds can now be seen by the public, but some will spend quality time behind the scenes. The first of these hatchlings, the cinereous vulture, was born on April 21. The vulture is the largest 'Old-World' vulture and one of the heaviest flying birds, with some growing to more than 20 pounds. In the wild, they live in isolated areas of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East and feed primarily on carrion. This cinereous vulture is considered near threatened due to poisoned prey, which kills the vultures when they ingest it. Zoo Miami's cinereous vultures, including the new chick, are secluded in an off-exhibit habitat and not visible to visitors. On April 23, a harpy eagle hatched and is being raised by its parents at the zoo's Amazon and Beyond exhibit. Harpy eagles are the most powerful birds of prey on Earth, with talons the size of grizzly bear claws. The new chick and its parents can be seen through a CCTV image projected in real time at their habitat. A pair of Abdim's storks also hatched in the zoo's Wings of Asia Aviary on April 27 and 28. Abdim's storks are among the smallest species of storks, reaching a height of only about 3 feet. The chicks can be seen in their nest from the public viewing areas in the aviary, where the parents are caring for them.

Behind-the-scenes photos show Zoo Miami gorillas prepped for big move to Chicago

CBS News

05-05-2025

Health
CBS News

Behind-the-scenes photos show Zoo Miami gorillas prepped for big move to Chicago

Two of Zoo Miami's most iconic residents, silverback lowland gorillas Shango and Barney, have been medically cleared for transfer to Brookfield Zoo Chicago later this month, marking the end of an era for the South Florida zoo. The 36-year-old, 448-pound Shango and his younger brother, 31-year-old, 415-pound Barney, underwent comprehensive medical examinations on Friday in preparation for their move. The 36-year-old, 448-pound Shango and his younger brother, 31-year-old, 415-pound Barney, underwent comprehensive medical examinations on Friday in preparation for their move. Zoo Miami The procedures included blood work, X-rays, dental cleanings, tuberculosis tests, cardiac ultrasounds and vaccinations for rabies and tetanus. The exams, which were led by Zoo Miami veterinarians Dr. Marisa Bezjian and Dr. Nicholas Buscaglia and overseen by Chief of Animal Health Dr. Gwen Myers, confirmed that both gorillas are in good health, according to a release from Zoo Miami. Specialized care was also provided by human cardiologist Dr. Ken Zide, along with sonographer Raquel McBean and cardiology fellow Dr. Kunal Lal. Zoo officials said both gorillas have since made a full recovery and are back in their habitat until the relocation. Zoo officials said both gorillas have since made a full recovery and are back in their habitat until the relocation. Zoo Miami Gorillas to join Brookfield Zoo's first bachelor troop Once in Chicago, Shango and Barney will become the first bachelor troop displayed at Brookfield Zoo's James and Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forest. In the wild, bachelor troops consist of younger males who have left their family units or adults who haven't formed one, offering vital social interactions that benefit the health and survival of the species, Zoo Miami's Ron Magill said. Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered, threatened by poaching, disease, and habitat destruction. The brothers' transfer is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, which supports gorilla conservation and education. Shango and Barney's departure ends a 40-year Zoo Miami tradition Barney and Shango were born at the San Francisco Zoo and arrived at Zoo Miami in 2017 from Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas. Their departure will allow Zoo Miami to begin renovations on its great ape habitat to meet updated Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission regulations, zoo officials said. When they leave at the end of May, Zoo Miami will be without gorillas for the first time in over 40 years.

Brookfield Zoo to welcome first bachelor gorilla troop this summer

Yahoo

02-05-2025

Entertainment
Yahoo

Brookfield Zoo to welcome first bachelor gorilla troop this summer

The player above shows a previous story from April 15, 2025, on the Trump Administration's decision to cancel funding for study of behavioral diversity in animals at Brookfield Zoo. BROOKFIELD, Ill. — A couple of bachelors will soon call Brookfield Zoo their home. Shango and Barney are adult western lowland gorillas, or silverbacks, coming to Brookfield from Miami. The brothers will form the first-ever bachelor troop at the zoo. Bachelor troops are made up of younger males who have left their family troop or adult males who haven't formed one. 'These social troops help foster critical skills and relationships, contributing to the well-being of the individuals and the species,' zoo officials said. Shango, 36, and Barney, 31, were born at San Francisco Zoo and have lived together at Zoo Miami for the past several years. The zoo says Shango is known for his stoic expressions and often appears to hold up his middle finger because of an injury he got while playing that left him unable to bend that finger. Barney is known for his cooperative nature and voluntarily participates in his veterinary care, Brookfield Zoo said. Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered due to habitat loss, poaching and disease. The gorillas will be joining Bornean orangutans and several species of monkeys in the new James & Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forests exhibit this summer. According to the zoo, guests will be able to get up close to the primates through viewing areas, including two indoor and four outdoor habitats spanning nearly three acres. For more information on the new exhibit, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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