Gladys Porter Zoo Gladys Porter Zoo News

What happened to Ben? Is he deceased or was he transferred?
Welcome to zoo history: former bull Ben passed away early 2013 and bull Milton himself did not last that long and had died somewhere in late 2016.

The current bull is Bebop and arrived in 2018. One wonders what he is doing with the ladies as no births have occured since he arrived!?
 
On February 9th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (0.1) eastern bongo named Gladys to the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky.

https://www.facebook.com/Louisville...ubNTrvX8gikvNjQQVshY9fptrHTUFTeP59rVzSY5DHWql

On March 12th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) generic giraffe was born in February which is now on exhibit.

Baby giraffe makes her debut! #GPZoo #gladysporterzoo #giraffe #babyanimals #endangeredspecies #visitbrownsville #rgv956 | Gladys Porter Zoo | Gladys Porter Zoo · Original audio
 
Piece of March 2024 News Not Mentioned:

On March 6th, it was reported that the zoo acquired (0.0.2) howler monkeys (species not specified) after their owner was caught trying to smuggle them into the country.

Man attempts to smuggle howler monkeys into Brownsville

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On April 17th, the zoo announced that (0.0.3) slender-tailed meerkats were born 6 weeks prior which are on display in the Small World! building.

#ICYMI Three baby meerkats are causing a stir in Small World! These 6-week-old pups can be seen on habitat with the rest of the meerkat mob. #GPZoo #meerkats #babyanimals | Gladys Porter Zoo | HarmonicoHCO · Cena Engraçada e Inusitada de 3 Minutos
 
The zoo is currently caring for 19 orphaned Mexican Spider Monkeys that were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. The zoo is asking for donations.

x.com
Is there no need given the influx of new Mexican spider monkeys that conservation stakeholders focus on in situ support to source where the illegal capture and animal trade is working to get the goods to the US?
 
The zoo is currently caring for 19 orphaned Mexican Spider Monkeys that were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. The zoo is asking for donations.

I hope they become founders of a breeding program in the USA and Mexico.

There may be 100s of orphaned spider monkeys kept as private pets throughout rural Mexico and 10s more in Mexican zoos. Stopping keeping monkeys as pets is not likely to be successful soon, although a worthy goal. The orphans can at least start a zoo breeding population.
 
Piece of June 2024 News Worth Mentioning:

On June 21st, the zoo announced that 3 American flamingos hatched.

9.2K views · 200 reactions | Welcome little ones #GPZoo #AmericanFlamingo #flamingofriday | Gladys Porter Zoo | Gladys Porter Zoo · Original audio

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On July 11th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) Northern white-lipped python which is now on display in the herpetarium.

New to the herpetarium is the Northern white-lipped python, known for its beautiful iridescent sheen. This species is native to New Guinea and some... | By Gladys Porter ZooFacebook
 
I hope they become founders of a breeding program in the USA and Mexico.

There may be 100s of orphaned spider monkeys kept as private pets throughout rural Mexico and 10s more in Mexican zoos. Stopping keeping monkeys as pets is not likely to be successful soon, although a worthy goal. The orphans can at least start a zoo breeding population.
Before the big confiscations in the last 1-2 years, the Mexican spider (Ateles geoffroyi vellerosus) population was around 60-70 individuals in AZA zoos already.

North American zoos also maintain stocks of robust black spider monkeys (Ateles fusiceps rufiventris) and central American spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi geoffroyi). The blacks number about 45-50 and the Central American are the most numerous at over 100 individuals across North American zoos.


NOTE:
As for the species / subspecies under discussion: Within AZA SSP African Safari is participating in the AZA SSP for Mexican spider monkey. They actually maintain the largest breeding population of Mexican spider monkeys within the AZA program, but it seems no exchanges with US zoos have occured.

I am sure there should be other zoos in Mexico holding the Mexican spider monkey subspecies (Ateles geoffroyi vellerosus). I hope some of our Mexican or Latino American Zoochat friends may have further information.

Brownsville Zoo actually maintains both Mexican (2.4.2 individuals with active breeding - don't really know why given their wild status???) and robust black (1.2.2 individuals). Abilene Zoo also held 2.2 mid range aged Mexican (non-breeding and now seems to have received both 0.2 youngster confiscated by USFWS in Houston and 2.0 additions from Brownsville. I suspect Abilene will in future start breeding from these youngsters.

Suffice to say the illegal trade in spider monkeys from Mexico is rampant ATM and a real CITES / animal trade issue now for both SW Texas and New Mexico (?) plus Arizona (?). I would applaud closer cooperation between both the US and Mexican country Ministry of the Environment/Agriculture authorities, national nature conservation authorities, in situ conservation NGO's and ex situ conservation breeding community (both US, Mexico and some northern Meso American states like Guatemala and Honduras).
 
An expansion of the Zoo, complete with an African savanna, new gorilla habitats, an entrance complex, and a parking garage, is coming thanks to a city approval to take over former school property.

https://myrgv.com/local-news/2024/09/16/city-brownsville-isd-move-forward-with-zoo-expansion/
Fantastic news all around! Gladys Porter sure is an odd zoo, desperately in need of a large-scale modernization project and it sounds like they might be getting just that. I just hope they don't lose any of their many genuine rarities in the process.
 
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