Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Jacksonville Zoo News

From the zoo's facebook page, we have our first tiger using the trail system!!

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Via the Facebook page, the zoo announced the arrival of two new male cheetahs from The Wild in Ohio, 3 year old Steve and 2 year old Roho.
 
Sad News...

This post was on the facebook page:
Friends,
It’s with a heavy heart that we inform you that Madini’s infant died early this morning. We still do not know the exact cause of death, but possibilities include stillbirth and death during labor. Our vet team will do a thorough necropsy to try to identify the exact cause of death. Keepers observed a fetal heartbeat on our sonogram two days ago. A normal gestation range for gorillas is 237-285 days and Madini was at 266 days.

Infant mortality is not uncommon among gorillas, and first–time mothers have a 50% higher infant mortality rate than second-time mothers. The loss of an infant can be a traumatic experience for gorilla mothers. Madini’s gorilla companions and human keepers will support her through the difficult mourning process. Keepers noted that Madini did everything she was supposed to do, including cleaning and carrying around the infant, which is a good sign as Madini will be allowed to continue breeding when she is ready.

Our hearts are with Madini and her keepers as they go through this tragic time.
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Via the Zoo's Facebook Page:
Two Marabou Storks hatched, one on the 18th and the other on the 19th. The chicks are being taken care of by the parents in the African Veldt exhibit (one with the rhinos and kudus).
Also Deanna the Mandrill gave birth to a baby boy on the 22nd, mother and son are on exhibit now.
 
"Goober" the male Aldabra Tortoise has returned to the zoo and is currently in quarantine. The zoo is also constructing a garden near the main entrance in honor of the zoo's centennial anniversary.
Edit: "Goober" is actually out in Play Park with the goats so I guess guests can pet him too
 
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From the zoo's Facebook page

Dear Friends,

The last few days have been hard for us all, as we have lost two animals that are dear to our hearts: Zawadi and Darasa.

Despite a valiant effort by Zoo staff, Zawadi, our oldest giraffe, was humanly euthanized late last night after collapsing while on exhibit. Both Zawadi and staff made attempts to get her to her feet, but the effort proved too great for the stability of her health. She has no serious medical history that would have led keepers or our veterinarians to anticipate an event like this. We have performed an initial necropsy, but it gave us no clear indication of what may have happened.

As many of you know, Zawadi was the mother of our youngest giraffe, Lester, who was born in February. Lester has already fit right in and has been accepted by the rest of the herd. The keepers will give him special attention to ensure that his diet and health are being properly maintained.

On Saturday morning, we also lost Darasa, the mom of our newest Zebra foal. She was treated the previous day for possible colic, but was discovered the next morning before additional treatment could be administered. The initial necropsy did confirm a severe twisting of her intestines. We are optimistic for the health of the foal as she has been growing strong and adjusting well to her surroundings. She will receive additional attention and nurturing during this time from our keepers.

On behalf of all the keepers and staff who loved and worked with Zawadi and Darasa, we want to thank you for your outpouring of concern during this difficult time.
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Oh that's sad that Zawadi didnt make it. Yesterdays article sounded like it wasnt a big deal. Its all made sadder by her having a young calf. Add to that the death of another recent mother zebra and you really have to feel for the staff.
 
Kande is finally out on exhibit with the other two rhinos.

The Marabou Storks have returned to their old exhibit in the River Valley Aviary with the Palm Nut Vultures.

2 Rock Hyraxes were born recently and out on exhibit.

There are Superb Starlings in the Bat Exhibit at Elephant Plaza.

The White Crowned Robin Chats and Racket-Tailed rollers are in the exhibit with the Rock Hyraxes.
 
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According to the Wild, the zoo's magazine:

Births and Hatching:
0.0.3 Rainbow Lorikeets
0.0.11 Yellow Headed Temple Turtle
0.0.498 Striped Newt

Acquisitions:
1.2 Dama Wallaby (imported from New Zealand)
0.1 Nine-Banded Armadillo
0.2 Capybara
1.0 African Hedgehog
0.0.1 Eastern Screech Owl
1.1 Golden Breasted Starling
0.0.1 Scarlet Milksnake
0.2 West African Green Mamba
0.0.1 Eastern Coral Snake
0.0.1 Cuban Tree Fog
 
JaxElephant said:
According to the Wild, the zoo's magazine:

Acquisitions:
1.2 Dama Wallaby (imported from New Zealand)
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Ooh, I wonder if Jacksonville sent anything back in return? Any idea where in NZ they came from? I guess it might not have actually been a zoo as they are wild in NZ, but they would have had to have been in quarantine somewhere. I think only Wellington Zoo hold them, but 1.2 would have been basically their entire population.

Are there many dama/tammar wallabies in the US?
 
The Magazine only gives a paragraph of information for this species. Here it is:
This is a species that historically has been much more common in North American zoos than it currently is. Now it is an AZA RED Studbook population with only about three dozen specimens in managed population. Recently, several specimens were imported from New Zealand where it is an introduced species. The Jacksonville Zoo has acquired 1.2 of the imports to hopefully breed here in Jacksonville... [It goes to talk about the history of the species at the zoo, an interesting fact is that 32 offsprings were born at the zoo]... Once the transition to their new home is complete, you'll find them in our kangaroo exhibit
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Hopefully once the animals are on display to the public there will be a more in-depth article.
 
JaxElephant said:
The Magazine only gives a paragraph of information for this species. Here it is:


Hopefully once the animals are on display to the public there will be a more in-depth article.
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OK, so that suggests that a fair few were imported, and therefore that they were almost certainly wild caught from Kawau Island or possibly from around Rotorua. Update us if you hear anything else. :)
 
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