Audubon Zoo Audubon Zoo News

Question- does the zoo have any plans of regaining giraffes or zebras?
See here:
https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/10/09/giraffes-return-audubon-zoo-new-orleans

Two male giraffes, Maverick and Fennessy have joined the zoo's collection after more than a year without giraffes. Maverick comes from the Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, and Fennessy comes from the Abilene Zoo!
I believe that the Zoo does desire to eventually renovate their African area, which would see the return of zebras — like Hartmann’s.
 
I have been wondering if the elephant habitat is strong enough to house bulls. If yes, then I believe it would be it would make a good bachelor space once the three older cows pass. I have seen on various websites that they can hold up to 4 elephants and is roughly 1 acre in total size, which makes it better to house a small herd of bulls than a breeding herd.
 
0.1 California sea lion Ayah passed away on November 14th, 2024. Her cause of death is listed as follows: Lung Disease (Acute Pulmonary Pathology; There Are No Specific Gross Lesions Suggestive Of A Specific Disease Entity. Histopathology Is Pending.)

Ayah was rescued in 2017 and arrived at Audubon the following year.
Very sad news. I wonder what the future holds for sea lions there. I saw it over a decade ago and it's atrocious.
 
Is this a renovation of the existing South American area (which I was under the impression was already quite good) or a brand new exhibit entirely?

Renovation of the existing South American area, as seen here:

The boardwalk around the South American Pampas exhibit is now closed in preparation for a renovation to this area of the zoo, including an expanded Geoffroy's spider monkey exhibit, renovated holdings and exhibit-spaces for Baird's tapir, capybara, Chacoan peccary (new to the zoo), giant anteater, greater rhea, and waterfowl, and a new island in the lagoon, featuring an interactive boat that serves as a viewing deck for the mixed-species exhibit. The renovations are expected to be completed by January 2025.
 
Piece of January + 2 Pieces of February 2025 News Not Mentioned:
On November 21st, the zoo announced that (2.0) golden lion tamarins were born on September 26th which are on exhibit.

Audubon Zoo

On January 13th, the zoo announced they named the tamarins Pumpkin and Spice respectively.

Audubon Zoo

On February 2nd, the zoo announced they acquired (1.1) capybaras named Sequoyah and Turkey from the Dickerson Park Zoo in Illinois which are on exhibit.

27K views · 390 reactions | Move over, Punxsutawney Phil - there are two lively new weather forecasters at Audubon Zoo! Capybaras Turkey and Sequoyah made their Groundhog Day forecasts separately, and after a few moments of seeming uncertainty, each proclaimed that a long winter is in our future. Six-year-old Turkey (female) and five-year-old Sequoyah (male), moved to Audubon Zoo late last year - so perhaps they aren’t too sure about the weather here. This is the first southern spring for the pair, who are native to South America. They came to Audubon Zoo from Springfield, Missouri, to be part of the new Jaguar Jungle River’s Edge, opening next month at Audubon Zoo! | Audubon Zoo

On February 28th, it was reported that the zoo transferred a (1.0) black-and-white ruffed lemur to the Erie Zoo in Pennsylvania.

Erie Zoo: The new animals, event and improved exhibits in 2025

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On March 21st, the zoo announced that a (1.0) great argus named Mike hatched on January 17th which is now on display in the Wings of the World exhibit*.

Audubon Zoo

* Also on March 21st, the zoo announced the unexpected passing of its Curator of Birds, Michael Houlihan, in January of which the bird is named in his honor.
 
The North American Opossum HAZEL has just passed away.
Audubon Nature Institute on Instagram: "It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Hazel, Audubon Zoo’s beloved Virginia opossum. In late March, our Ambassador Animal care team noticed that Hazel was beginning to show signs of medical concerns related to her advanced age. Upon thorough examination by our veterinary team, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lymphoma with very few treatment options. On April 24th, due to a rapid decline in Hazel’s health, her veterinary and care teams made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her. The typical lifespan of opossums in the wild is 1-2 years. Hazel was around 3 years old when her symptoms became apparent, and her relatively long life is a testament to the excellence and devotion of her care team. As an animal ambassador, Hazel touched the hearts of thousands of Zoo guests and helped teach people of all ages all about what makes opossums unique, as well as how we can be good neighbors to our local wildlife here in Louisiana. Some of her favorite foods were cooked sweet potato, grapes, cockroaches, boiled egg, and broccoli stems. She was beloved by every staff member who met her and will be sorely missed. Hazel originally came to Audubon Zoo in the summer of 2023 after being raised as an illegal pet, and due to her being accustomed to humans, she was deemed non-releasable by Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries. If you find an injured or orphaned opossum in the wild, please contact your local professional wildlife rehabilitator. Please keep our Ambassador Animal team and everyone who loved Hazel in your thoughts during this difficult time. ❤️‍"
 
Other April / May / Early June 2025 News Not Mentioned:
On June 2nd, the zoo announced they helped headstart and release (2.0) gopher tortoises back into the wild.

Audubon Zoo
Audubon Zoo

On April 3rd, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) red fox named Mr. Bonnie from BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo in Louisiana which is on display in Louisiana Swamp.

Audubon Zoo

On April 18th, the zoo announced that a spectacled owl hatched on March 15th.

12K views · 300 reactions | Spectacled owl couple Billie (mom) and Sebastian (dad) welcomed an adorable, fluffy owlet on March 15th! The owlet, whose sex is still unknown, is doing well. As a first-time parent, Billie was a bit overwhelmed, so our Bird Team stepped in to help care for the little one behind the scenes before it goes to its new home. When you visit Wings of the World, you’ll see proud parents Billie and Sebastian - and be sure to check the nursery camera! You might just catch a glimpse of the owlet. | Audubon Zoo

On May 10th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) white-faced saki named Magnolia was born on March 1st which is on exhibit.

Audubon Zoo

1.0 Siamang Pete will soon arrive from the Brevard Zoo to be a companion to the zoo’s current female.
Brevard Zoo

On May 21st, the zoo officially announced they acquired Pete which is now on exhibit, and briefly mentioned the passing of (1.0) siamang Crown.

40K views · 888 reactions | Meet the Zoo’s newest “it” couple - Pete and Syndi! Pete came to us from Brevard Zoo after his partner of 41 years, Sapphire, passed away. Syndi also lost her longtime companion, Crown, after 16 years together. Siamangs thrive with a companion, so finding new partners was essential for both of their wellbeing. We’re thrilled to share that Pete and Syndi are a perfect match! These two lovebirds enjoy lounging in the sun for long naps and snacking on nuts and raisins together. | Audubon Zoo

On May 23rd, the zoo announced that 3 Home's hinge-back tortoises hatched on May 6th.

Audubon Zoo

On May 25th, the zoo announced they acquired (2.0) Perdido Key Beach mice which are behind-the-scenes.

Audubon Zoo

On June 3rd, the zoo announced their (1.0) mandrill named Mapema passed away at age 27 due to a significant decline in health.

Audubon Zoo

On June 5th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.3) greater rheas which are now on display in Jaguar Jungle's River's Edge.

Audubon Zoo

On June 13th, the zoo announced that a black howler monkey was born on May 12th.

Audubon Zoo
 
Other Summer 2025 News Not Mentioned:

On June 25th, it was announced that the zoo will transfer a male (1.0) Linne's two-toed sloth to Zoo Boise in Idaho in autumn.

Zoo Boise

On August 27th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a male (1.0) screaming hairy armadillo to Hattiesburg Zoo in Mississippi.

Hattiesburg Zoo

On September 6th, the zoo announced they started extensive renovations to the Amur leopard exhibit, with the leopards moved off-show in the African lion area.

Audubon Zoo

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Sometime in 2025, it was announced that the zoo transferred a blue-crowned motmot to Louisville Zoo in Kentucky on March 26th.

New at the Zoo
 
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