The zoo has announced a new nighttime event called Wildlife Illuminates.
Wildlife Illuminated | Akron Zoo
Wildlife Illuminated | Akron Zoo
Akron Zoo Akron Zoo News 2024
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I have learned that Irv, the zoo’s new cinereous vulture, has died. I am not sure when. Bindi, the female, is on habitat.
Dang. They just arrived too
The zoo will be doing Tortoise Trots in the Komodo Kingdom building this Saturday and Sunday at 1:30.
From the zoo's latest email:
Akron Zoo Welcomes New Trumpeter Swan
Your Akron Zoo is excited to welcome a new friend to the waterfowl pond. Ila has joined our other Trumpeter swan, Sakari and the two have hit if off.
Ila (eye-luh) was born at Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy on June 12, 2023. She currently still has her juvenile feathers, giving her a darker look. Over the coming months, she will grow into her white feathers.
Make sure you come pay our two swans a visit in the waterfowl pond!
Akron Zoo Welcomes New Trumpeter Swan
Your Akron Zoo is excited to welcome a new friend to the waterfowl pond. Ila has joined our other Trumpeter swan, Sakari and the two have hit if off.
Ila (eye-luh) was born at Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy on June 12, 2023. She currently still has her juvenile feathers, giving her a darker look. Over the coming months, she will grow into her white feathers.
Make sure you come pay our two swans a visit in the waterfowl pond!
The zoo will be closing at 3:30 on Wednesday, February 21st
From Facebook:
"As the zoo continues to grow, that means more things that need upkeep and fixing! To keep up with our increase in infrastructure, we're excited to debut our new Facilities and Grounds building!
Located along Edgewood and Rhodes Aves., this building gives our maintenance staff the resources to care for the park, allowing for a safe, clean and updated zoo experience for our guests. The animals benefit from it as well - building items for habitats in the shop, electrical work that keep the heated rocks warm, keeping the water pumps in top shape for the penguins and fish and so much more!"
Akron Zoo - As the zoo continues to grow, that means more things... | Facebook
"As the zoo continues to grow, that means more things that need upkeep and fixing! To keep up with our increase in infrastructure, we're excited to debut our new Facilities and Grounds building!
Located along Edgewood and Rhodes Aves., this building gives our maintenance staff the resources to care for the park, allowing for a safe, clean and updated zoo experience for our guests. The animals benefit from it as well - building items for habitats in the shop, electrical work that keep the heated rocks warm, keeping the water pumps in top shape for the penguins and fish and so much more!"
Akron Zoo - As the zoo continues to grow, that means more things... | Facebook
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From Facebook:
We are mourning the loss of our male Speke's gazelle. Gondar's health began to decline in the last week and a subsequent vet procedure discovered a mass on his lung. The difficult decision was made to humanely euthanized Gondar. Necropsy results confirmed the substantial mass, and testing will be sent out to determine if its cancerous.
Gondar has defied the odds over the last several years, thanks to the amazing care from the animal and vet care teams. In 2021, he severely Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital - Akron, conducted a surgery to place an external ring fixator on the leg to give him the best chance of survival.
After months of treatment, Gondar made a full recovery. Despite the permanent limp and bowed ankle, he was able to live a full life, running and jumping throughout the habitat.
“Gondar has made a significant impact on my career in animal care,” said Lauren McKenna, animal care manager for the hoofstock/primate team at the Akron Zoo. “Through the amazing care and dedication of my team and our vet staff, we were able to help him pull through a life-threatening injury and give him three additional years of life. Gondar taught us all to enjoy the little things and not to take life for granted.”
Gondar was born on July 14, 2017 at the St. Louis Zoo. He came to live here at the Akron Zoo in 2019 for the opening of Pride of Africa. Gondar fathered three gazelle fawns while at the Akron Zoo.
We are mourning the loss of our male Speke's gazelle. Gondar's health began to decline in the last week and a subsequent vet procedure discovered a mass on his lung. The difficult decision was made to humanely euthanized Gondar. Necropsy results confirmed the substantial mass, and testing will be sent out to determine if its cancerous.
Gondar has defied the odds over the last several years, thanks to the amazing care from the animal and vet care teams. In 2021, he severely Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital - Akron, conducted a surgery to place an external ring fixator on the leg to give him the best chance of survival.
After months of treatment, Gondar made a full recovery. Despite the permanent limp and bowed ankle, he was able to live a full life, running and jumping throughout the habitat.
“Gondar has made a significant impact on my career in animal care,” said Lauren McKenna, animal care manager for the hoofstock/primate team at the Akron Zoo. “Through the amazing care and dedication of my team and our vet staff, we were able to help him pull through a life-threatening injury and give him three additional years of life. Gondar taught us all to enjoy the little things and not to take life for granted.”
Gondar was born on July 14, 2017 at the St. Louis Zoo. He came to live here at the Akron Zoo in 2019 for the opening of Pride of Africa. Gondar fathered three gazelle fawns while at the Akron Zoo.
On January 7th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.2) domestic ducks (breed not specified) named Wade and Waddle which are ambassador animals.
Meet Wade and Waddle! | Animal ambassadors travel out into our community and visit local schools and organizations. We think Wade and Waddle will make great ambassadors! Turn... | By Akron ZooFacebook
Meet Wade and Waddle! | Animal ambassadors travel out into our community and visit local schools and organizations. We think Wade and Waddle will make great ambassadors! Turn... | By Akron ZooFacebook
On March 13th, it was announced that the zoo transferred the (0.1) snowy owl to the Seneca Park Zoo in New York in February.
Seneca Park Zoo
From the zoo's website- A Komodo Dragon bit a keeper on March 3rd. The dragon responsible is not listed, but it says the dragon not involved was also injured.
UPDATE of March 19: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted an investigation beginning on March 4, 2024 and has now determined that there were no employer violations of safety standards by the Akron Zoo.
On March 3, 2024, an incident occurred in the Komodo Kingdom employee service area that resulted in a staff member being injured. Our initial investigation establishes that most injuries came as the result of bite wounds inflicted by one of the Komodo dragons.
Our chief concern is for our valued team member, who is currently recovering at home. We will update as more information is available, consistent with privacy requirements and Federal law. We also want to honor our employee’s privacy, so we are providing no other details at this time.
A Komodo dragon not involved in the staff member’s injuries was also injured, and is stable and recovering.
The zoo is reviewing how this event occurred and we are working with OSHA. Safety is, and will remain, the utmost priority for our staff, visitors and animals.
UPDATE of March 19: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted an investigation beginning on March 4, 2024 and has now determined that there were no employer violations of safety standards by the Akron Zoo.
On March 3, 2024, an incident occurred in the Komodo Kingdom employee service area that resulted in a staff member being injured. Our initial investigation establishes that most injuries came as the result of bite wounds inflicted by one of the Komodo dragons.
Our chief concern is for our valued team member, who is currently recovering at home. We will update as more information is available, consistent with privacy requirements and Federal law. We also want to honor our employee’s privacy, so we are providing no other details at this time.
A Komodo dragon not involved in the staff member’s injuries was also injured, and is stable and recovering.
The zoo is reviewing how this event occurred and we are working with OSHA. Safety is, and will remain, the utmost priority for our staff, visitors and animals.
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The zoo has received a Plume Award from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Avian Scientific Advisory Group for the recognition for their efforts to breed and care for North American songbirds.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
A Humboldt Penguin hatched on March 3rd. The zoo's statement:
We're excited to share that a penguin chick hatched at your Akron Zoo on March 3! The chick came here as an egg from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The egg was a high priority in terms of genetic diversity and the decision was made by the Humboldt Penguin Species Survival Plan (SSP) to send the egg to the Akron Zoo.
The chick is being fostered by penguins Pez and Gabriella, who have a successful track record with raising chicks in the past, including fostering. The pair’s last chick is Ernie, who hatched in 2021.
The chick is female and has been named Tercera (tere-sara), which means “third” in Spanish. Tercera hatched on the third day of the third month, and she is the third chick we have fostered.
Tercera is currently being raised off-habitat with her foster parents. Before joining the penguin colony on habitat, she will need to eat on her own, lose her down feathers and pass a swim test.
Your Akron Zoo is currently home to 16 penguins, including Tercera. This is the 20th penguin chick to hatch since Penguin Point opened in 2003.
We're excited to share that a penguin chick hatched at your Akron Zoo on March 3! The chick came here as an egg from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The egg was a high priority in terms of genetic diversity and the decision was made by the Humboldt Penguin Species Survival Plan (SSP) to send the egg to the Akron Zoo.
The chick is being fostered by penguins Pez and Gabriella, who have a successful track record with raising chicks in the past, including fostering. The pair’s last chick is Ernie, who hatched in 2021.
The chick is female and has been named Tercera (tere-sara), which means “third” in Spanish. Tercera hatched on the third day of the third month, and she is the third chick we have fostered.
Tercera is currently being raised off-habitat with her foster parents. Before joining the penguin colony on habitat, she will need to eat on her own, lose her down feathers and pass a swim test.
Your Akron Zoo is currently home to 16 penguins, including Tercera. This is the 20th penguin chick to hatch since Penguin Point opened in 2003.
The zoo's website says the Snow Owl exhibit is closed for renovation
It could use some improvements. It hasn't changed a lot in the last 22 years. It is the same mesh since it debuted with thick-billed parrots.
The Seba’s short-tailed bats are off habitat for habitat maintenance.
Is Akron still planning on adding the new bird exhibit in Asia?
Yes. They were in the final planning phase earlier in the year. I expect they might wait until Wildlife Illuminated is over before doing anything.