Franklin Park Zoo Franklin Park Zoo News 2013

This news actually has to do with the Stone Zoo but since there is no Stone Zoo category and Stone and Franklin are connected as Zoo New England I decided to post it here. Stone Zoo will be having a Koala exhibit for the Summer. They will also be changing their Inca Tern walk through to a Budgie feeding area.
 
Zoo New England announced today that Henrietta, a giraffe calf, will undergo a medical procedure requiring the use of anesthesia on Tuesday morning at Franklin Park Zoo.

Henrietta developed lameness in her right hind leg in early March and has since been treated with anti-inflammatory medication, antibiotics and pain medication. Because she has not responded well enough to the treatment, she will be put under anesthesia on Tuesday morning so Zoo New England’s veterinary team can thoroughly examine her. During the full examination, X-rays will be taken of her leg and blood will be drawn for analysis.

“There is always a risk with any animal immobilization involving general anesthesia. We never enter into these procedures lightly and every possible effort is made to keep the animal, as well as the people involved in the procedure, safe and healthy,” said Dr. Eric Baitchman, Zoo New England Director of Veterinary Services. “Because Henrietta has not responded well enough to the treatments already given, this procedure is necessary to try and determine the source of the lameness and treat it accordingly.”

Administering anesthesia to a giraffe is particularly difficult due to this animal’s unique anatomy and physiology. During this type of procedure, it can be very difficult to control such a big animal and special care must also be taken to make sure the long neck is supported.

Henrietta is estimated to weigh between 400-450 pounds and she stands about 8 feet tall. She was born on Nov. 27, 2012 to parents Beau and Jana.

Beau and Jana were bred as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Giraffe Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is a cooperative, inter-zoo program coordinated nationally through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Zoo New England is an active participant in this program. SSPs are designed to maintain genetically diverse and demographically stable captive populations of species.

Please note: There will be no photo availability during the procedure. A press release will be issued following the procedure.
 
All 3 of the Boston Marathon runners who were running to raise money for Zoo New England are all safe after the terrible tragedy that occured today.
 
Beau, a male Masai adult giraffe, made his spring exhibit debut on May 16th on the Giraffe Savannah at Franklin Park Zoo. Henrietta, a female calf born to Beau and his mate Jana, will remain off exhibit while she continues to recover from a hairline fracture in her back right leg. The five-month old Masai giraffe calf developed lameness in her right hind leg in early March. After being fully examined by the Zoos’ veterinary and animal management teams, it was determined that she had a hair-line fracture just above her back right foot. The fracture is healing well and is quite stable. She has been on stall rest while she recovers. Because she is still nursing, her mother Jana will remain in the Giraffe Barn with her until she is ready to make her exhibit debut. Giraffes are more temperature sensitive than other savannah animals. It must be at least 65 degrees for the giraffes to be seen on exhibit. Look for Beau on days when the temperature is 65 degrees and above. He can be seen on exhibit with the Grevy’s zebras.
 
Mandrill Update From the zoo's website:
As part of the Mandrill SSP Program, Ushindi recently left Franklin Park Zoo to make his new home at the Houston Zoo, where he will be paired with a female mandrill.

Brother and sister mandrills from the Pittsburgh Zoo, Squiggy & Morticia, will soon make their home in the Tropical Forest. Look for them later this summer!
 
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Butterfly Landing, a seasonal exhibit, is now open daily until September 2nd, where it will be open on only weekends.
 
Baird's Tapir Mother & Baby are on exhibit in their outdoor yard. The Father is on exhibit inside the Tropical Forest.
 
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