On January 21st, the zoo announced that due to avian influenza they moved their outdoor birds off display.
Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Rosamond Gifford Zoo
On January 21st, the zoo announced that due to avian influenza they moved their outdoor birds off display.
Rosamond Gifford Zoo
On January 15th, 2025, the zoo announced that they transferred a (1.0) red wolf named Waya to another unspecified AZA facility and are looking for a new male for their (0.1) wolf Evie.
Rosamond Gifford Zoo

As a result, the sichuan takin have moved into the white-lipped deer exhibit, with an announcement to come as to what will go into the takin's old space
Once more, this exposes the flaws in the over arching AZA policies in endangered species vis a vis zoo spaces management within its ranks which at times and disproportionally affects the interests of some of the most (critically) endangered species.The zoo today announced in a Facebook comment the transfer of their remaining white-lipped deer to the West Texas Wildlife Preserve. A huge loss as this is an incredibly rare ungluate in zoos, but as always, the welfare of the individual animals must always come first.
To meet the needs of our aging herd, and at the recommendations of AZA’s White Lipped Deer Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), our vets, and Studbook Keeper, the decision was made to send our three remaining deer to the West Texas Wildlife Preserve with the goal that they join a larger herd. While we will miss being able to educate our guests about and give a home to these majestic deer, we must act in the best interests of our animals.
As a result, the sichuan takin have moved into the white-lipped deer exhibit, with an announcement to come as to what will go into the takin's old space.
Side-topic split to this thread: A discussion on the AZA and sustainabilityOnce more, this exposes the flaws in the over arching AZA policies in endangered species vis a vis zoo spaces management within its ranks which at times and disproportionally affects the interests of some of the most (critically) endangered species.
IMO AZA is also caving in to some ill-informed vet health regulations that are pandering to big agri business with little concern for animal welfare, good management of zoonotics and endangered species and wildlife in general.
In the case of deer and antelope species this has for sure led to a contentious reduction in the number of species of conservation concern in AZA zoos, the white-lipped deer are just one of the examples of this flawed policy.
Piece of April 2025 News Not Mentioned:
On April 15th, it was announced that the zoo's Director, Ted Fox, will retire after May 30th after 34 years working at Rosamond Gifford.
Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Longtime Rosamond Gifford Zoo director Ted Fox to retire after 34 years
Meet the fuzzy new baby animals at Syracuse’s Rosamond Gifford Zoo
6 new Red Wolf pups were born as well as 2 more Humboldt Penguin Chicks
On February 10th, the zoo announced that due to raised concerns about avian influenza, they closed the Diversity of Birds aviary to the public until further notice.
Rosamond Gifford Zoo
As a result, the sichuan takin have moved into the white-lipped deer exhibit, with an announcement to come as to what will go into the takin's old space.
The zoo has placed their confiscated Marco Polo Sheep on-exhibit with 3.0 Markhor. Per the zoo's website, he will be on-exhibit in one-hour increments until he adjusts.
Illegally Created Argali Clone Finds New Home at Rosamond Gifford Zoo - Rosamond Gifford Zoo
~Thylo
Is this species present any where else in the United States?The zoo has placed their confiscated Marco Polo Sheep on-exhibit with 3.0 Markhor. Per the zoo's website, he will be on-exhibit in one-hour increments until he adjusts.
Illegally Created Argali Clone Finds New Home at Rosamond Gifford Zoo - Rosamond Gifford Zoo
~Thylo
According to this thread, no. They are an extremely rare species in captivity in the world as a whole.Is this species present any where else in the United States?
There are zero in the US currently. Heck, there are only 2 places on ZTL that even still have them in the world. If anything, he will probably just be a one off in some collection.