For immediate release
Contact: Gina Stiles, 904-757-4463, ext. 210 (w); 904-655-3632 (c)

Three One & One Half Year Old Warthogs are New Residents of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Public Naming Contest to be Announced Soon

Jacksonville, Florida – December 22, 2008 – Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announced the arrival of three new, female warthogs that were released yesterday into their Plains of East Africa exhibit.  The threes sisters came from the Toronto Zoo in Toronto, Canada, where they were born on April 15, 2007. 

The warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) are members of the same family as domestic pigs, but present a much different appearance. These sturdy hogs are not among the world's most aesthetically pleasing animals—their large, flat heads are covered with "warts," which are actually protective bumps. Warthogs also sport four sharp tusks. They are mostly bald, but they do have some sparse hair and a thicker mane on their backs.  Though warthogs appear ferocious, they are basically grazers. They eat grasses and plants, and also use their snouts to dig or "root" for roots or bulbs. When startled or threatened, warthogs can be surprisingly fast, running at speeds of up to 30 miles (48 kilometers) an hour.  They are found in the northern and southern savannas of Africa, extending into adjacent arid zones.  The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has exhibited warthogs since 1996. 

For over 90 years, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has been dedicated to inspiring the discovery and appreciation of wildlife through innovative experience in a caring environment.  Starting in 1914 with an animal collection that consisted of one red deer fawn, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has grown to house more than 1,500 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 plant species. The Zoo is a non-profit organization and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Located on Jacksonville’s north side two miles off I-95, the Zoo is open year-round, 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information on the Zoo, log on to jacksonvillezoo.org.