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12/22/22

How We Help African Penguins in the Wild

African penguins are one of five out of the 18 species of penguins that are endangered. In Play Park, you can find the Magellanic penguins at our newly renovated Tuxedo Coast habitat. This is a least concern species that we use as an ambassador to help support the African penguins. Over the last century, human ocean activity has increased including the transportation of oil. South Africa has experienced five of the world’s 50 major recorded oil spills, making the country one of th... Read More
Posted by Emily Long at 12/22/22
AIYI

12/22/22

Do All Porcupines Have Prehensile Tails?

With an oversized nose that feels like a marshmallow when booped, the prehensile-tailed porcupine stands out in the porcupine family. Like all the other 56 species of porcupines, the prehensile-tailed porcupine has quills for defense against predators, but few species are as skilled at climbing. Fifteen of the 16 New World porcupine have a prehensile tail. Unlike some of their cousins, this species can grasp and hold on to branches with all four feet as well as their tail. Like a fifth h... Read More
at 12/22/22
AIYI

11/28/22

Reducing Human-to-Jaguar Conflict in the Wild

We support the Rupununi Wildlife Research Unit’s work on jaguar ecology and human-to-jaguar conflict in the Rupununi Region of southwestern Guyana. Guyana is at the center of one of the world’s largest expanses of intact tropical forest (about 134.2 million hectares). This area, termed the Guiana Shield for the ancient volcanic rock formations that differentiate them from the Amazon, stretches across eastern Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and northern Br... Read More
at 11/28/22
Conservation

11/22/22

Why Do Animals Go Through Quarantine?

A part of the Zoo that very few guests get to see is inside the animal hospital. One would correctly assume that a few of the hospitalized animals are sick or injured, but the majority of animals who pass through the hospital are there for another important reason – quarantine. Animals that are in quarantine are in a new, unfamiliar space, and they may need peace and quiet during their stay. Every new animal that comes to the Zoo has the potential to bring new diseases and parasit... Read More
at 11/22/22
AIYI Conservation

10/28/22

Helping Reconstruct Lemur Habitats in the Wild

Just off the main path at the Zoo, guests may find themselves in our one-of-a-kind wellness inspired African Forest which contains the Madagascar exhibit. When first stumbling upon this off-the-beaten-path exhibit, guests are sure to notice the unique diversity of our five species of lemurs. From our blue-eye black lemurs, mongoose lemurs, ring-tailed lemurs, black-and-white ruffed lemurs and our Coquerel’s sifaka lemurs. Guests are sure to be drawn to these prosimians by thei... Read More
at 10/28/22
Conservation

10/21/22

A Crane of Many Names: The Stanley Crane

The Stanley crane, also known as the blue crane or paradise crane, is the national bird of South Africa. The blue crane name comes from the pale blue coloring of their feathers on their head and body with their wing feathers tapering off into a darker color. These long wing feathers drag to the ground appearing to be tail feathers when in fact, their tail feathers are very short. They are one of two species of crane that do not have red on their heads, making them unique in the crane world. B... Read More
at 10/21/22
AIYI

10/21/22

Conserving the Critically Endangered Eastern Bongo

When taking a stroll around the Africa Loop, guests may see an orange-colored animal tucked under the bamboo, palm trees or along the boardwalk. These elusive creatures are the Eastern Bongo, also known as the Mountain Bongo, a species of forest antelope. The Eastern Bongo is a beautiful chestnut brown color with 12 to 14 white stripes going horizontally down their back. Eastern bongos only live in densely forested mountainsides of Kenya. There are approximately five fragmented popu... Read More
at 10/21/22
AIYI Conservation