Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2016

The Kids’ Farm is temporarily closed after routine screening revealed several of our animals tested positive for E. coli. The animals are now in quarantine and being treated with antibiotics. None of our animals are showing any signs of disease, and no staff have been affected. The exhibit will be closed for at least the month of March.
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Press Release - National Zoo| FONZ
 
From the zoos facebook.

Our veterinary and animal care team continue to address Shanthi’s arthritis. To encourage mobility, they administered a new medicine yesterday that will help keep her joints as lubricated as possible. To further evaluate her condition and check the impact of the medicine, they also drew blood. We'll keep you posted on her condition.
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Also a commercial the zoo made.

https://www.facebook.com/nationalzoo/videos/10153928257242902/
 
Have you guys ever heard about giving elephants shoes to help with their feet? That might do something to help a little but I don't know enough about it.
 
I know they tried that with Ranchipur in San Diego. He kicked it off, nearly nailed someone in the head with it.
 
Hee Hee, Ranchipur sounds like a rascal!

I remember either Tai or Rosie or both of them were wearing shoes when I saw them at Southwick's. There was even a sign explaining them. They seemed to tolerate them well.
 
Yeah I think that shoes/boots have worked well for other elephants. I don't know why ranchipur didn't like them, it seems out of his character to throw them at people, even though he is a bull (he is described constantly as having a very good temperament). Maybe they could put like a bunch of scents on it that make it seem more familiar with them, like when they put urine on collars for polar bears and whatnot.
 
ZooElephantsMan said:
Yeah I think that shoes/boots have worked well for other elephants. I don't know why ranchipur didn't like them, it seems out of his character to throw them at people, even though he is a bull (he is described constantly as having a very good temperament). Maybe they could put like a bunch of scents on it that make it seem more familiar with them, like when they put urine on collars for polar bears and whatnot.
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Maybe Ranchipur didn't mean to hit anyone, maybe he just wanted it off right then and there.
 
wensleydale said:
Maybe Ranchipur didn't mean to hit anyone, maybe he just wanted it off right then and there.
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I believe that is correct. In the San Diego Zoo's "Inside Look Surprise" tour, one of the things they take you to is the behind the scenes part of the elephant care center. They have one of Ranchipur's tusks, one of his old shoes, and a few other neat elephant-related objects.
 
Two Fennec Fox kits were born on Feb, 4.

Sadly the zoo has to hand rear them because their mom Daisy hasn't had success with kits in the past and couldn't take care of them.

Fennec Fox Q&A - National Zoo

Also at 11:30 am tomorrow (3/8/16) the zoo is holding a live brunch broadcast where you can meet the kits.

Stanley cane science Q&A.

Stanley Crane Q&A - National Zoo

Global health program to help save wild Rhinos.

Smithsonian Global Health - National Zoo

And this is what the zoo put in this months newsletter about Shanti (nothing really knew though).

For more than a decade, our animal care team has treated 40-year-old Asian elephant Shanthi for arthritis in her wrists. To take the pressure off of her joints, she's been distributing her weight disproportionately on her feet. This caused her toenail to split, and a serious infection developed in her nail bed.

Our elephant care staff and veterinarians teamed up to tackle Shanthi's tootsies. While there is no cure for arthritis, they're administering anti-inflammatories, injecting medicine to lubricate her joints, and encouraging her to move and flex with enrichment and training sessions. Zoo vets prescribed a topical antimicrobial medicine to treat the ongoing infection. Dr. James Steeil reveals how to take an elephant-sized radiograph in our latest Zoo Vets video.
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The video I believe has been posted already.
 
We are so sad to announce that our elderly male cheetah, Granger, was humanely euthanized yesterday. When animal care staff noticed that Granger’s appetite was declining, veterinarians performed an exam and found renal and pancreatic disease. He was 10-and-a-half years old and a terrific ambassador for his species.
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Our elephant care staff and veterinarians continue to treat 40-year-old Asian elephant Shanthi for arthritis in her wrists. As she's been distributing her weight disproportionately on her feet, a serious infection developed in her nail bed from a split toenail. In addition to a topical antimicrobial medicine, foot baths in a disinfectant solution help combat the infection. Shanthi is still taking anti-inflammatories and is being encouraged to move and flex with enrichment and training sessions.
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Zoos facebook.

Press Release - National Zoo| FONZ
 
We’re barking with excitement! We welcomed two endangered maned wolf pups at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute earlier this winter. The pups are starting to venture out of the den where they were born in January. Mom, Zayda, and dad, Echo, have been taking great care of the pups, and are very protective of them. This is the first litter of pups for them. Maned wolves live in mated pairs, and both the male and the female care for the pups. So far, the female pup (bottom) seems more territorial and the male (top) is shy, but still curious.

With the birth of the pups we have 11 maned wolves living at SCBI. Their birth was especially exciting because Echo is one of the most genetically valuable maned wolves in human care. Breeding recommendations for the wolves are made by the Maned Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP). Our own, Dr. Nucharin Songsasen is the SSP coordinator.
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Zoos facebook
 
Well the baby boom has begun guys! After the Fennec Fox kits earlier this month and than the Maned Wolf pups a couple days ago. We have another baby!

Allen's Swamp Monkey born at the National Zoo.

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Press Release - National Zoo| FONZ
 
The longstanding plan had been for Shanthi's previous mate Indy to become NZP's new bull, but a twist has developed that may make this difficult. Indy's home, the Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield, Missouri, had 4 elephants until 1/18 when 38-year-old male Khun Chorn died. This leaves the zoo with just 3 elephants, and the AZA's new rule requiring zoos to have at least 3 elephants goes into effect this year. If they send Indy, they are in violation of AZA rules. Presumably they're in violation if they disobey a species survival plan too, so it will be interesting to see what the AZA says.

I don't think there's any way the AZA wants to waste any more breeding years of a viable female when there are only about 18 total such females in US zoos. Other options could include a male named Groucho who is being held in Denver's new home for males; he's in his early 40s and proven. Also, Ringling has continued to help US zoos with donations--Romeo to Fort Worth,Doc in Syracuse, Asha to Tulsa--and they have quite a number of teenage males. NZP has previously declined offers from Ringling on the grounds that, as a national zoo, it must stay away from controversial issues. . As Asian eleplhants become ever more endangered, I wonder how important this concern really is. It will be interesting to see what the AZA recommends.
 
Can the SSP not find another Elephant for Dickerson Park to replace both Indy and Khun Chorn ? Hence freeing up Indy to go to NZP when the 3rd Elephant arrives.... Or is that too simple??
 
ThylacineAlive said:
Does Dickerson Park have all males? I thought the three animal rule only applied to females:confused:

~Thylo:cool:
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Dickerson Park currently has 2 females, Moola and patience, and Indy the bull. From what I've heard since Connie died is that Patience and Moola don't get along given the new dynamic and that they are on rotation on exhibit. Maybe someone closer and more familiar could confirm or eloborate on the situation? I've also heard that Moola is still a potential breeder, however her recommendation was to breed with Khun chorn.
 
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