'Half-Shell Hero' Hatchlings Get Head Start in Oregon

Fifteen baby Western Pond Turtles arrived last week at the Oregon Zoo. Smaller than a nickel, the hatchlings are extremely vulnerable to predators. To give them a fighting chance, the tiny turtles were collected from the wild and will be reared in the Zoo’s turtle conservation lab until they’re big enough to go back to the pond.

“Baby turtles are really small when they hatch, so they’re the perfect size for a lot of animals to eat,” said Shelly Pettit, the Zoo's Senior Keeper for Reptiles and Amphibians. “And the biggest problem they have right now are the invasive, or introduced, bullfrogs — they prey on turtle hatchlings right out of the nest.”

Photo Credits: Oregon Zoo

The Western Pond Turtle is native to the eastern United States. They are currently classified as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN. Several predators threaten this species, especially the hatchlings, due to their small size and soft shell.

Raccoons, otters, ospreys, coyotes, weasels, and bullfrogs are predatory threats to the Pond Turtle. The American Bullfrog is the largest frog species in North America. It can tip the scales at more than a pound and has been driving the Pond Turtle to the brink of extinction.

Last week, Pettit and her colleagues took charge of 15 Western Pond Turtle hatchlings, collected by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Service from sites in the Columbia Gorge. The zoo is “head-starting” these tiny turtles, caring for them until next spring when they will be large enough to avoid the bullfrogs and have a fighting chance on their own in the wild.

Unlike recovery programs for other endangered species like California Condors or Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterflies — which take place offsite or behind the scenes — this conservation effort is easy to see. Oregon Zoo visitors can watch the small turtles as they grow inside the zoo's Nature Exploration Station.

The turtles at the Zoo will experience summer year-round, with heat lamps and plentiful food, so they don’t go into hibernation.

“We keep these little turtles warm, safe and well-fed in the lab,” Pettit said. “As a result, they grow to about the size of a 3-year-old during the nine months that they stay with us.”

Once the turtles reach about 50 grams (a little more than 2 ounces), they are returned to their natural habitat and monitored for safety.

The Western Pond Turtle, once common from Baja California to the Puget Sound, is listed as an endangered species in Washington and a sensitive species in Oregon. Two decades ago, Western Pond Turtles were on the verge of completely dying out in Washington, with fewer than 100 left in the state. Since then, more than 1,500 zoo-head-started turtles have been released back into the wild.

“We’re at a critical point with this species,” said Pettit. “We really have to grow them up in their population numbers if we’re going to save them in time.”

The Western Pond Turtle Recovery Project is a collaborative effort by the Oregon Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bonneville Power Administration, USDA Forest Service and other partners.

source http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2018/10/-half-shell-hero-hatchlings-get-head-start-in-oregon.html

Kansas City Zoo Welcomes Second Giraffe Calf This Year

Kansas City Zoo’s Masai Giraffe herd just got bigger! On Sunday, September 30, at 11:29 pm, six-year-old Makali gave birth to a male calf. The calf weighed 135 pounds and already stands 5 feet, 5 inches tall. A neonatal exam showed that the calf is in good health.

Right now, the calf is bonding with his mom behind the scenes, but fans can see him on the zoo’s Giraffe Cam.  He has not yet been named.

Photo Credit: Kansas City Zoo

The new calf already has a playmate: female calf Dixie is eight months old and is sure to become fast friends with this youngster.

The calf’s father is nine-year-old Hamisi, the only male in the zoo’s herd. Hamisi has fathered several calves at his previous zoo and this is his second calf at the Kansas City Zoo. He also fathered Dixie.

Masai Giraffe are one of nine Giraffe species and subspecies found in Africa. Masai Giraffes live primarily in Kenya and Tanzania, and number around 32,000 individuals. The overall Giraffe population in Africa is decreasing due to growing human population pressure and illegal hunting. Giraffes are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

source http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2018/10/kansas-city-zoo-welcomes-second-giraffe-calf-this-year.html

Sumatran Tiger Cubs Have First Big Vet Check

Tierpark Berlin’s four Sumatran Tiger cubs are now eight-weeks-old, and the quad had their first big veterinarian checkup on October 2.

Photo Credits: Tierpark Berlin

Although they aren’t even the size of a domestic house cat, the cubs can already “hiss” like full-grown big cats! Veterinarian, Dr. Günter Strauß, was also introduced to the future proficiency of their claws and teeth during the examination.

"Natural breeding of young animals also means that the offspring does not always make it easy and convenient for the vet," explained Veterinarian, Dr. Ing. Günter Strauss. "A wild animal defends itself when a human gets too close to it and that's a good thing."

Andreas Knieriem, Zoo and Animal Park Director, added, "The Tiger quadruplets survived their first investigation well. They are well fed, yet we now want to start feeding some meat to the young. We hope that they will soon be strong enough to follow the tiger mum, Mayang (age 7) on the large rock formation, so that also the Tierpark visitors can see the Tiger quad."

The two females and two males were born on August 4 to parents, Mayang and Harfan. The Zoo expects the cubs to be spending most of their time with mom for the present, but keepers anticipate the new family will be on exhibit in late October.

source http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2018/10/sumatran-tiger-cubs-have-first-big-vet-check.html

Western Lowland Gorilla Born at Jacksonville Zoo

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is pleased to announce that 22-year-old, Western Lowland Gorilla, Kumbuka, gave birth to a healthy infant. The 4.8-pound female was born on September 28th at 1:30 pm.

Labor began in the mixed-species habitat the Gorillas share with Colobus Monkeys and Mandrills, but concluded in the birthing-suite within the Gorilla shelter building. As soon as labor was reported, staff was able to call the Gorilla family indoors so that Kumbuka could be closely monitored in a quiet environment.

Kumbuka’s initial maternal behavior toward the baby was perfect and normal. Unfortunately, Kumbuka was cradling and carrying her youngster improperly- similarly to the way that she behaved when she lost two previous offspring at another zoo.

It is theorized that Kumbuka’s hearing disability may prevent her from detecting when her youngsters are in distress. Faced with a life-threatening situation, the extremely difficult decision was made to remove Kumbuka’s baby for short-term assisted rearing by Gorilla care staff. This decision is supported by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Gorilla SSP (Species Survival Plan) group.

The Gorilla SSP recommended that Kumbuka join the Jacksonville Zoo troop to learn maternal behavior from the other mother Gorillas and participate in a maternal training program.

Photo Credits: Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens/ Images 1-3: Kim Skelton/ Images 5-6: Lynde Nunn 

After her arrival in 2014, Jacksonville Gorilla care staff began suspecting that Kumbuka may be hearing-impaired. In 2017, her condition was confirmed through consultation with audiologists from Nemours Children’s Specialty Care.

Her diagnosis provided valuable information for developing a specialized birth management plan to improve Kumbuka’s chances for maternal success. Throughout Kumbuka’s pregnancy, keepers worked to teach her the correct way to position an infant and other essential maternal skills, while also planning for the potential need to intervene based on her history.

Now the training continues with keepers showing her the proper way to hold and carry the infant. Kumbuka is watching and learning as keepers provide around-the-clock care to her infant, right next door to her and the rest of the Gorillas. Kumbuka can see and smell her baby and shows particular interest when the keepers demonstrate walking “gorilla-style” while holding the little one. Maintaining the close connection between mother and daughter is essential for a successful reintroduction. Once the baby is strong enough to adjust herself, she can hopefully be reunited.

Keepers will care for the youngster for approximately the next four months. To ensure healthy socialization, the infant will be kept near her mom, Kumbuka, and the rest of the Gorillas. Keepers are taking great care to provide mom with constant opportunities to look in on her baby. The newborn has many challenges ahead, but so far, she’s progressing well.

“Welcoming the newest member of our zoo family is always exciting, and this little Gorilla’s arrival is both special and challenging,” said Dan Maloney, JZG Deputy Director of Animal Care and Conservation. “I’m so proud of the animal care and health teams who are working so hard on behalf of Kumbuka and her baby.”

Kumbuka is the most genetically valuable female in the Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP), and after being recommended to pair with Jacksonville’s silverback, named Lash, she conceived in early February 2018. Lash, 42, was born at the Cincinnati Zoo and came to the Jacksonville Zoo in Gardens in 1998. The pair’s new daughter is very important to the entire North American program, which relies upon cooperative pairings of gorillas already in human care. Wild Gorillas are no longer captured for zoos.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens recently opened the newly renovated home for the great apes, African Forest. The $9.5 million renovation features a 50-foot-tall kapok tree that animals can climb and swing on, a mixed-species exhibit, a trail system that allows the animals to traverse the area as they choose, and many more wellness-inspired design elements.

The new little Gorilla does not have a name yet. The Zoo plans to raise critical funds for her care, and for wild Gorilla conservation, by offering the opportunity to name her at their special event, “Toast to Conservation”, on November 17. This year’s event highlights the conservation work being conducted in the field, supported by Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and will feature speakers from Lola Ya Bonobo Sanctuary and the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center, both based in Democratic Republic of Congo.

source http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2018/10/western-lowland-gorilla-born-at-jacksonville-zoo.html

New Red Panda Cub on Exhibit at Binder Park Zoo

Binder Park Zoo announced news of a baby Red Panda that is now on exhibit at the zoo. A male Red Panda cub, named Oolong, was born on June 29 to parents Cinnamon and Mowmow.

Unfortunately, Oolong’s mother, Cinnamon, died unexpectedly of pneumonia in August requiring the intervention of animal care and veterinarian staff to hand rear the cub. Weighing in at 588 grams or 1.3 pounds, Oolong is about 50% smaller than most Red Panda cubs of the same age due to a disorder known as congenital hypothyroidism, caused by a lack of active thyroid hormone. Oolong’s condition is improving with treatment and a diet consisting of Esbilac, a milk replacer formula for puppies that has him thriving and gaining weight.

Photo Credits: Binder Park Zoo

While small in size, Oolong is big on personality! He is playful, rambunctious and curious as he ambles about his surroundings, his squeaks and snorts are typical red panda vocalizations as he responds to the keepers. Oolong is currently being housed in the nursery of the vet hospital where guests can see him during his feedings and periods of socialization that generally happen for 30-45 minutes at 10:00am, 1:00pm and 4:00pm. Oolong also has access to a crate where he may choose to nap or hang out during the rest of the time.

With a long time participation in a Species Survival Plan through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Binder Park Zoo has a history of successfully breeding Red Pandas. These animals are kept behind the scenes in an area not available to the public in order to limit disturbances. A cub born to Cinnamon and Mowmow in June 2017, named Bo, was later successfully placed at the Norfolk Zoo.

“While the loss of Oolong’s mother and the need to hand-raise the cub is not the circumstance we would ever hope for, this is an unusual and rare opportunity for the public to be able see a young Red Panda cub up close” states Kathryn Sippel, Curator of Collections at the zoo.

Oolong is not related to Tushar, the ten-year-old Red Panda currently on exhibit at the zoo, nor will the two be on exhibit together.

The Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens)--also known as the ‘lesser panda’, ‘red bear-cat’, or ‘red cat-bear’--is a mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. It has reddish-brown fur, a long, shaggy tail, and a waddling gait due to its shorter front legs and is roughly the size of a domestic cat.

It is arboreal, feeds mainly on bamboo, but also eats eggs, birds, and insects. It is a solitary animal, mainly active from dusk to dawn, and is largely sedentary during the day.

The Red Panda has been classified as “Endangered” by the IUCN, because its wild population is estimated at less than 10,000 mature individuals and continues to decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and inbreeding depression.

The public is invited to visit Oolong at the nursery of the vet hospital now through October 7 when the zoo will close for the season. Guests are encouraged to check at the front gate about possible changes to feeding times.

“It’s well worth a visit to the zoo to see Oolong; babies grow fast and Red Pandas are one of the most popular animals with zoo patrons,” says Leslie Walsh, Marketing Manager. “The chance to see this tiny cub is sure to be thrill with an enormous cuteness factor!”

source http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2018/10/new-red-panda-cub-on-exhibit-at-binder-park-zoo.html

‘Big’ Little Elephant Surprises Keepers at Safari Park

A female African Elephant calf was born to experienced mom, Umngani, on September 26 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

The female weighed in at 281-pounds, making her the largest calf ever to be born at the Safari Park. A newborn elephant generally weights 200 to 268 pounds at birth, and the average gestation period for African Elephants is 649 days, or 22 months.

The yet-to-be-named, little pachyderm was introduced to the remainder of her herd on September 28. The Safari Park reported that the other elephants appeared very excited to meet the new baby: ‘rushing to her, and touching and smelling her with their trunks, all under the watchful eye of her protective mother’. The elephant herd includes three older siblings (one of which the new calf now shares a birthday with) and a male calf, named Umzuli-Zuli, who was born August 12 to mother, Ndula.

Photo Credits: Ken Bohn/ San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The Safari Park is now home to 14 African Elephants: 4 adults and 10 youngsters. The adults were rescued in 2003 from the Kingdom of Swaziland, where they faced being culled.

Guests can visit the new baby, her mom, and the rest of the herd at their home in Elephant Valley at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and they also may be seen on the Safari Park’s Elephant Cam, at: www.sdzsafaripark.org/elephant-cam .

source http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2018/10/big-little-elephant-surprises-keepers-at-safari-park.html