Louisville Zoo Louisville Zoo News 2025

0.1 Southern White Rhinoceros Sindi has died aged 41 years.
LouisvilleZoo on Instagram: "The Louisville Zoo is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Sindi, its beloved 41-year-old southern white rhinoceros, that had been part of the Zoo family since 1985. In recent years, Sindi had been treated for arthritis and other age-related conditions, but her health declined significantly this week marked by a loss of appetite, increased lethargy and acute respiratory symptoms. Sindi had been a major contributor in her own healthcare as her age progressed. She actively participated in her training, allowing the veterinary team to draw blood and address issues routinely and with ease. She was a wonderful animal to work with and will truly be missed. Visitors can continue to see Letterman, Sindi's fellow rhino, in the Africa Zone. Learn more at link in bio. Alexis Dufilho Williamson"
 
Smaggledagle said:
On April 9th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.3) Nigerian Dwarf goats named Barbie, Malibu, and Skipper, which are now on display in the Boma Petting Zoo.

Louisville Zoo

On April 21st, the zoo announced that a barn owl hatched 5 weeks prior which will become an animal ambassador in the future.

Louisville Zoo
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The Owl has since been named Anya
 
The elephants have moved to Tennessee:
The Louisville Zoo officially no longer has elephants – Here's where they went | whas11.com
"For the first time in several decades, the Louisville Zoo officially no longer has elephants.

The Louisville Zoo announced Thursday its two elephants, African elephant Mikki (age 39) and Asian elephant Punch (55), arrived safely at The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee.

Punch first arrived at the Louisville Zoo in 1973. Mikki followed in 1987. Mikki gave birth to two male calves while at the Louisville Zoo: Scotty and Fitz.

After being transported 24 hours apart from each other, the longtime companions were reunited in The Sanctuary's Hickory Barn and Habitat which will be their new home.

Once the elephants are acclimated, they will be able to interact with the other elephants. If they Mikki and Punch choose to form new bonds, their potential herd mates and companions are three other female elephants that are similar in age: Asian elephant Sissy (age 57), African elephant Nosey (age 43) and African elephant Edie (age 42).

The Elephant Sanctuary is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is the largest natural habitat refuge for Asian and African elephants in the United States.
"Since last year’s announcement of Mikki and Punch’s departure, I have been reminding guests and staff that it's OK to feel some sadness and profound joy at the same time,” said Louisville Zoo Director Dan Maloney. “Although seeing such iconic, longtime members of our Zoo family leave is hard, we know that this is the best decision for them at this stage of their lives. We will be eagerly viewing the elephant cams alongside our community watching Mikki and Punch explore the vast grounds of The Sanctuary and making new friends along the way."

Maloney added, “We are so grateful to The Elephant Sanctuary team for their professionalism, expertise, and empathy! They have made the entire transition process a wonderful and rewarding experience.”

“At The Sanctuary, introductions are approached gradually and thoughtfully, with the elephants’ comfort and safety as the top priority,” said Janice Zeitlin, CEO at The Elephant Sanctuary. “Our approach supports the elephants’ ability to form lasting, meaningful relationships — if and when they choose — on their own terms.”


While The Elephant Sanctuary is not open for visitors, you can see Mikki and Punch on livestream cameras here."
 
In the case of elder African (Mikki) and Asiatic (Punch) elephants... this move is probably for the best as the Louisville Zoo simply did not have the resources needed to upgrade to an improved elephant habitat.

Having said that ..., given that Mikki did breed on 2 occasions and only lost her last calf (born 2019) to EEHV ...., I do think the final destination for Mikki might well have been a proven breeding herd.... instead.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
this move is probably for the best as the Louisville Zoo simply did not have the resources needed to upgrade to an improved elephant habitat.
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Louisville Zoo definitely doesn't have the room to build a premier elephant enclosure, though. They'd basically have to phase-out every other species in that section of the zoo (Aside from those who could be mixed with elephants, maybe), bulldoze everything, and then rebuild from the ground up.

Even then, they'd still be short on space if they wanted to exhibit a multi-generational breeding herd. They could probably squeeze in a bachelor herd, though? That being said, the AZA seems to favor zoos having the ability to exhibit both a breeding herd and a bachelor herd at the same time.

Anyone who says that elephants are going to come back to Louisville is dreaming, IMHO. The zoo would be far better off focusing on multiple smaller species over elephants. At least they wouldn't have to tear up a major portion of the zoo's footprint to do that.

Kifaru Bwana said:
given that Mikki did breed on 2 occasions and only lost her last calf (born 2019) to EEHV ...., I do think the final destination for Mikki might well have been a proven breeding herd.... instead.
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Mikki and Punch are pretty tight (Understandable, considering that they've known each other for over thirty years), so I can see why Louisville didn't want to send them on to separate facilities. Even if Mikki is technically still a viable breeder.

It's a slamdunk PR win without the headache of trying to find a zoo with the room for another potential breeding elephant and a herd that's willing to possibly accept her. To say nothing of how both of Mikki's calves were bulls sired by Jackson.
 
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