Hogle Zoo Hogle Zoo News

Update from Today's Visit:

Small Animal Building:
  • 1.0 Taylor's cantil (Agkistrodon taylori), Tabasco, was off-exhibit today. Given his age, I would not be surprised if he has passed. I will try and confirm with a keeper soon.
  • Work is progressing in the upcoming African straw-colored fruit-bat (Eidolon helvum) habitat in the Tropics Zone. A metal mesh has been installed, covering the entire top of the habitat.
  • 1.0 southern three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus), Pablo, has returned to his usual habitat in the Tropics Zone.
  • Work was being done today on two of the four upcoming small cat (Felis sp.) exhibits in the Temperate Zone.
Rocky Shores:
  • Work is being done on the main guest path.
  • Work was being done on the tank inside Tidewater Cove.
 
From the Zoo's Facebook: The Zoo has announced the arrival of a two male Pallas's cats (Otocolobus manul). Phil (short for Phyllaris) arrived from the Birmingham Zoo in Alabama where he was born on April 10, 2020. The Zoo also received a mate for resident female Kaarina. Her new mate, Khir, arrived from the Lee Richardson Zoo in Kansas. He was born at the now closed Exotic Feline Breeding Compound on March 20, 2017. While Kaarina and Khir will live off-exhibit for breeding purposes, Phil is on-exhibit in Asian Highlands.
 
Update from Today's Visit:

Great Apes:
  • 1.1 Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus), Tuah and Kawan are temporarily being housed in the indoor gorilla bedrooms while work is being done back of house. 1.1 Bornean orangutans Mia and Acara are being housed in the two-story indoor orangutan habitat, while the 2.4 western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) troop is on-exhibit in their outdoor yard.
Small Animal Building:
  • Signage has been updated for all species in the Small Animal Building.
  • 1.0 turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), Faruk, has been moved off-exhibit.
  • 1.0 Arabian sand cat (Felis margarita thinobia), Asim, has been moved into the former turkey vulture habitat.
  • The colony of African straw-colored fruit-bats (Eidolon helvum) has moved into their new habitat in the Tropics Zone. Their former habitat remains empty.
  • 1.1 helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris), Omelet and Nubbin, have moved back into the Rainforest Zone. Their former habitat in the Temperate Zone is receiving maintenance.
  • Three habitats (one in the Desert Zone and two in the Temperate Zone) have been blocked to guest viewing. This would indicate that the new small cats (Felis margarita thinobia and Felis nigripes) have completed their quarantine and are settling into their new habitats. I can provide more information on the individuals after the Zoo has announced their arrivals.
Asian Highlands:
  • 1.1 Chinese red pandas (Ailurus fulgens styani), William and Kiaria, have completed their howdy process and are now both on exhibit together.
 
Update from Today's Visit:

Small Animal Building:
  • 1.0 Taylor's cantil (Agkistrodon taylori), Tobasco, is back on-exhibit in the Desert Zone in a newly expanded terrarium.
  • On May 1, 0.1 Arabian sand cat (Felis margarita thinobia), Cleo, made her public debut in the Desert Zone. Cleo recently arrived from the North Carolina Zoo, where she was born on May 11, 2023. Cleo has a breeding recommendation from the SSP with the Zoo's resident male, Asim.
  • As of today, partial viewing has been given for 0.2 black-footed cats (Felis nigripes), Thelma and Louise in the Temperate Zone. They recently arrived from the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center's Intensive Management Area, where they were born. This marks the return of black-footed cats to Utah's Hogle Zoo.
On Small Cats:
  • While the sand cats have an approved breeding recommendation by the Species Survival Plan, there is currently no plan in place to breed the Zoo’s black-footed cat sisters. That being said, the Zoo is dedicated to collaborating with the Black-footed Cat Consortium. This could manifest in several different ways. The Zoo could receive one or multiple males to attempt breeding with the females. They could be artificially inseminated with samples from either captive or wild populations. Utah’s Hogle Zoo could remain a holding only facility for females awaiting breeding recommendations as they currently outnumber males in the captive population. In any case, the Zoo remains dedicated to this species and will follow the recommendations made by the Black-footed Cat Consortium.
 
Update from Today's Visit:

Small Animal Building:
  • 0.1 Brongersma's short-tailed python (Python brongersmai), Riau, has moved into the former red-tailed boa terrarium in the Tropics Zone.
  • 0.1 Puerto Rican boa (Chilabothrus inornatus), Paloma, has moved into the former Brongersma's python terrarium in the Tropics Zone. Her former terrarium in the Temperate Zone remains empty.
  • The African straw-colored fruit-bat (Eidolon helvum) colony is temporarily being housed in their former habitat in the Tropics Zone.
  • The window coverings on the black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) habitat have been removed, however, stanchions still block visitor's from approaching.
Asphalt Repairs:
  • Asphalt repairs have begun around the Zoo, most notably the path between Primate Forest and Great Apes.
 
A baby North American Porcupine was born April 27th.
Hogle Zoo on Instagram: "A baby North American porcupine, also called a porcupettte, was born on April 27, 2025, to mom Blackberry and dad Barton! The bundle of quills weighed just over 2 pounds at birth and is already growing like a weed. It may be several months before our team can determine if Blackberry’s little one is a boy or girl. In the meantime, the baby will stick close to mom for at least the next eight months before heading to another facility to serve as an ambassador for their species. This birth is extra special—first-time porcupine moms don’t often have successful pregnancies or births. Blackberry’s successful delivery and the care she’s shown as a new mom make this milestone even more meaningful! Porcupettes are born with soft quills that harden within hours and are ready to defend themselves from day one by raising their quills and swinging their tails. While the youngster is still shy and usually stays tucked away, you may be able to spot mom and baby in Wild Utah. #utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #baby #babyanimals #animals #utah #utahevents #thingstodoinutah #utahoutdoors #wildutah #zoo"
 
Nile Hippo Expert said:
A baby North American Porcupine was born April 27th.
Hogle Zoo on Instagram: "A baby North American porcupine, also called a porcupettte, was born on April 27, 2025, to mom Blackberry and dad Barton! The bundle of quills weighed just over 2 pounds at birth and is already growing like a weed. It may be several months before our team can determine if Blackberry’s little one is a boy or girl. In the meantime, the baby will stick close to mom for at least the next eight months before heading to another facility to serve as an ambassador for their species. This birth is extra special—first-time porcupine moms don’t often have successful pregnancies or births. Blackberry’s successful delivery and the care she’s shown as a new mom make this milestone even more meaningful! Porcupettes are born with soft quills that harden within hours and are ready to defend themselves from day one by raising their quills and swinging their tails. While the youngster is still shy and usually stays tucked away, you may be able to spot mom and baby in Wild Utah. #utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #baby #babyanimals #animals #utah #utahevents #thingstodoinutah #utahoutdoors #wildutah #zoo"
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It has received the name of BLAKE.
Hogle Zoo on Instagram: "The porcupette has a name—and we hope you’re emotionally prepared. Meet Blake! Warning: Looking at this photo of Blake may cause uncontrollable squealing, excessive smiling, and immediate plans to visit the zoo. #utahshoglezoo #hoglezoo #baby #babyanimals #utah #thingstodoinutah #slc #zooday #zoo"
 
The zoo announced that 0.1 gray fox Juniper died on June 5th.
Hogle Zoo on Instagram: "Utah’s Hogle Zoo is saddened to announce the loss of female gray fox, Juniper, who passed away on June 5, 2025, surrounded by her loving care team. Juniper was born with a condition called congenital hydrocephalus, which causes a buildup of fluid around her brain. Due to this condition, she lost most of her eyesight and required high levels of specialized care. In recent weeks, Juniper’s condition progressed quickly, leading to complications with her immune system and overall health, resulting in a significant decline in her quality of life. With her wellbeing as the top priority, we made the difficult but compassionate decision to humanely euthanize her. Described by her care team as sweet and gentle, curious and determined, brave and resilient, Juniper was a great example of what animals are capable of overcoming when given a second chance, plenty of patience, and a lot of love. Juniper was a beloved member of the Wild Utah exhibit and the Hogle Zoo family. She left a lasting impression on all who cared for her and visited her. We are deeply grateful to the staff, volunteers, and guests who took the time to connect with her—she was a special part of many zoo visits and memories. Juniper will be deeply missed by her animal care team and the entire community who loved her."
 
IndianRhino said:
Bornean orangutan, “Kawan”, is pregnant and due in mid June! Sire of the infant could be either of the zoo’s two males, “Mia” or “Tuah”.

Orangutan pregnancy - Utah's Hogle Zoo | Stories & News
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"Kawan" gave birth to a female infant on June 21st, but she is being hand-reared as "Kawan" was unable to successfully nurse her infant. The zoo is hoping to introduce their other adult female, "Acara," to the infant as a foster mother.

Orangutan newborn - Utah's Hogle Zoo | Stories & News
 
IndianRhino said:
"Kawan" gave birth to a female infant on June 21st, but she is being hand-reared as "Kawan" was unable to successfully nurse her infant. The zoo is hoping to introduce their other adult female, "Acara," to the infant as a foster mother.

Orangutan newborn - Utah's Hogle Zoo | Stories & News
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Bornean orangutan infant named ‘Weila’:

Hogle Zoo’s tiniest great ape gets name | Gephardt Daily

Since her birth on June 21, Weila (pronounced WEY-lah) has been receiving round-the-clock care from her dedicated team. Their focus is on stabilizing and ensuring her wellbeing, monitoring her weight gain, and cheering on every gram she gains.
 
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