Latest news with #ZooandAquarium
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tiny Baby Elephant Who Just Arrived at Columbus Zoo Is Stealing Hearts Everywhere
Tiny Baby Elephant Who Just Arrived at Columbus Zoo Is Stealing Hearts Everywhere originally appeared on PetHelpful. If you haven't seen the latest arrival to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium yet this week, get ready to fall in love! On July 23, a brand new baby Asian elephant calf was born to mom, Sunny, and she weighed in at 215 pounds. After the initial birth announcement, the zoo shared a new update on how the little calf is doing on TikTok, and it's safe to say everyone is absolutely delighted. The zoo explained: "The team has one word to describe her: ADORABLE. She is nursing well and enjoys her nap time, too. She is also comfortable straying from Mom a little bit to say hello to the care team!" Trust me, this precious baby will instantly steal your heart! Isn't she just the sweetest? In the caption, the zoo also let everyone know that mama is also doing very well after the birth. They said, "Her mom, Sunny, is also doing great. She is settling into motherhood very well and is very attentive to her baby's needs."They also went on to praise the care team who helped bring this new life into the world: "Sunny's pregnancy lasted nearly two years—and through it all, her dedicated care team was by her side every step of the way. That trust made all the difference during the birth, creating a calm, smooth experience for both mom and baby. Thanks to their tireless work and deep bond with Sunny, this little calf entered the world surrounded by compassion, expertise, and purpose. We're so grateful for their role in helping to protect this endangered species—and for making moments like this possible."People already can't get enough of this sweet angel, with one person saying, "She's adorable. Welcome to the world, little one!" Another added, "OMG. I'm crying. She's so beautiful." So far, the zoo hasn't released this little girl's name, but we know whatever they choose, it'll be just perfect. As for when the public will be able to see her? The zoo replied to a comment on the video and said, "She is not publicly viewable yet. Stay tuned to our social media channels for her debut announcement!" We can't wait. Tiny Baby Elephant Who Just Arrived at Columbus Zoo Is Stealing Hearts Everywhere first appeared on PetHelpful on Jul 27, 2025 This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Jul 27, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Gutting Endangered Species Act would harm Tacoma
At Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, part of Parks Tacoma, wildlife conservation is the core of everything we do. Every day, we see firsthand how the survival of endangered species depends on the protection of their habitats. That's why we are deeply concerned about a proposed federal rule from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that would weaken the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by removing habitat modification from the definition of 'harm.' For decades, the ESA's traditional interpretation of 'harm' has been a cornerstone of conservation, allowing agencies to protect not just animals themselves but also the environments they need to feed, breed, shelter and migrate. This approach has been instrumental in preventing countless extinctions since the law's enactment in 1973. It has enabled the recovery of iconic species like the grizzly bear and the bald eagle by ensuring that their habitats and food sources remain intact and viable for future generations. Parks Tacoma's zoological teams have decades of experience working to recover imperiled species, from restoring native amphibian populations in the Northwest to leading the national recovery effort for the critically endangered American Red Wolf. These successes have only been possible because of strong protections for the wild places these animals and plants need to survive and recover. If finalized, this rule would allow activities that degrade or fragment habitat — such as logging, development or pollution — to proceed without ESA oversight, as long as they don't directly kill or injure individual animals or plants. This narrow interpretation ignores decades of scientific evidence and practical conservation experience demonstrating that habitat loss is often the primary threat to imperiled species. This is not just a technical change. It is in direct conflict with the original stated purpose of the ESA: that 'ecosystems upon which endangered species and threatened species depend may be conserved.' Habitat destruction is the leading cause of species endangerment and extinction, both in the U.S. and globally. Without the ability to protect the ecosystems that species depend on, the hard-won gains of decades of conservation work could be quickly undone. The ESA is one of America's most effective conservation laws, with a 99% success rate in preventing the extinction of 1,700 species. Weakening its protections now would be a massive step backward, risking the future of countless animals, plants, and ecosystems. Now is the time to speak up for wildlife. The USFWS and NMFS are accepting public comments on this proposed rule until May 19. If you care about the future of endangered species and the wild places they call home, please add your voice. Visit and search for Docket No. FWS–HQ–ES–2025–0034 to submit your comment in support of strong, science-based habitat protections. Let's stand together to ensure the Endangered Species Act continues to protect not just animals, but the places we all depend on. Your voice matters. Alan Varsik has served as zoological director for Parks Tacoma since 2017. He has over 30 years of experience in the zoological field, including working to protect California condors, American red wolves and the Channel Island fox. Marc Heinzman is the conservation manager for both zoos. He has worked for over 15 years on conservation initiatives targeting species in Washington state, the broader United States, and internationally in Asia, South America, and Africa.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Penguin chick introduced at Sioux Falls Zoo
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – A new penguin chick has been introduced to the Humboldt penguin colony at the Great Plains Zoo and Aquarium. Penguin parents Pippa and Quince have raised three previous chicks — Paco, Rico, and Sammy Sammons — all of whom still live at the zoo. The plan for the Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium The chick hatched on March 30 and is growing well, thanks to the attentiveness of the parents. Though it still stays close to mom and dad, the chick is starting to be viewable in the Humboldt penguin habitat. In their natural habitat, Humboldt penguins nest on the islands of the Pacific coast, and are native to South America. They are considered a threatened species. The Great Plains Zoo campus is now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the butterfly house and aquarium is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. How zoo animals are part of a literacy initiative Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
