From the zoo's facebook page: The zoo has a new otter! A male, named Mitch, was orphaned in the wild and came to the zoo about a month ago. He is slowly being introduced to the zoo's resident otter, Moe.
Ochsner Park Zoo Ochsner Park Zoo News
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He'd be a wonderful addition to the captive genepool.
An American Black Bear cub is coming to the zoo from the Alaska Zoo:
WATCH NOW: Baraboo's Ochsner Park Zoo to get new orphaned bear cub from Alaska
WATCH NOW: Baraboo's Ochsner Park Zoo to get new orphaned bear cub from Alaska
The zoo also has a new opossum cage near the restrooms. It isn't a very nice exhibit, but not the worst I've seen. The link is to the facebook post:
Ochsner Park Zoo
Ochsner Park Zoo
The exhibit is a great size. It has places to hide, as well as branches to climb in. It wouldn't hurt to have one or two more enrichment items in the enclosure, but it isn't bad husbandry wise. It's just not very aesthetically pleasing.
The female cub has been named Miska and is now on display:
WATCH NOW: Ochsner Park Zoo introduces new bear cub to Baraboo community
From the zoo's facebook page:
"We are both excited and sad to announce that Apache the wolf has a new home! He will be moving to Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora, IL. There he will be paired up with an older female wolf.
Apache’s companion Montana passed away in August of 2020. While he has adjusted fairly well to being a “lone wolf,” wolves are very social species. The keepers are well aware that in order for Apache to thrive, he would need to live with other wolves. While the staff and visitors will miss Apache deeply, this is the best option for his welfare. This also allows us to do some exciting new things with the current wolf exhibit!"
Apache left the zoo about a week ago.
There are also two ducks that have moved in with the beavers.
"We are both excited and sad to announce that Apache the wolf has a new home! He will be moving to Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora, IL. There he will be paired up with an older female wolf.
Apache’s companion Montana passed away in August of 2020. While he has adjusted fairly well to being a “lone wolf,” wolves are very social species. The keepers are well aware that in order for Apache to thrive, he would need to live with other wolves. While the staff and visitors will miss Apache deeply, this is the best option for his welfare. This also allows us to do some exciting new things with the current wolf exhibit!"
Apache left the zoo about a week ago.
There are also two ducks that have moved in with the beavers.
Do we know what species of duck?
I believe they are both female mallards.
Recent updates from the zoo's Facebook page:
- In early spring, older male beaver Finn was euthanized following his chronic health issues with his teeth taking a turn for the worse. However, on a positive note, 2 year old male beaver, Tino, from the Utica Zoo arrived and is now living comfortably with the other beaver, Shiloh.
-Another very exciting announcement came recently; the zoo is now home to a pack of four young Mexican Grey Wolves! Jake, Kevin, Kai, and Akela came from the Endangered Wolf Center near St. Louis.
Here is a link to the full facebook post: Log into Facebook | Facebook
- In early spring, older male beaver Finn was euthanized following his chronic health issues with his teeth taking a turn for the worse. However, on a positive note, 2 year old male beaver, Tino, from the Utica Zoo arrived and is now living comfortably with the other beaver, Shiloh.
-Another very exciting announcement came recently; the zoo is now home to a pack of four young Mexican Grey Wolves! Jake, Kevin, Kai, and Akela came from the Endangered Wolf Center near St. Louis.
Here is a link to the full facebook post: Log into Facebook | Facebook
Great to see Ochsner start to get involved with conservation!
The zoo will be receiving a second Black Bear cub! A 7-month old orphaned male cub from Alaska, named Taglu, will remain off exhibit for a quarantine period after he arrives this week.
An article on the new bear cub Taglu, who is now being introduced to the exhibit, and two new opossums that were rescued after their mother was hit by a car. The article also features several pictures taken around the zoo.
Ochsner zoo welcomes new bear cub, ambassador animals
Ochsner zoo welcomes new bear cub, ambassador animals
A bear update from the zoo's facebook page:
Miska and Taglu can be seen on exhibit together daily! As of right now they are still separated overnight, so the best time to see them is mid-morning to mid-afternoon. As with this entire process, the bears lead the way, so we cannot guarantee anything!
Some behaviors you might see between the bears are wrestling, biting, swatting with paws, and chasing. They are very playful and have a lot of fun together! Since Miska is so much bigger than Taglu, we're still monitoring them to make sure she doesn't play too rough, but what looks rough to us is normal to a bear! And Taglu seems to be giving as good as he gets.
Miska and Taglu can be seen on exhibit together daily! As of right now they are still separated overnight, so the best time to see them is mid-morning to mid-afternoon. As with this entire process, the bears lead the way, so we cannot guarantee anything!
Some behaviors you might see between the bears are wrestling, biting, swatting with paws, and chasing. They are very playful and have a lot of fun together! Since Miska is so much bigger than Taglu, we're still monitoring them to make sure she doesn't play too rough, but what looks rough to us is normal to a bear! And Taglu seems to be giving as good as he gets.
In late September, Walter the Bald Eagle was moved out of the deer yard and into a smaller enclosure due to keepers noticing a lump on his "bad" wing. The lump and a bit more of his wing were removed surgically.Unfortunately, the lump turned out to be cancer. This meant that Walter needed an additional surgery to make sure that all the cancer was removed so he had a chance to heal.
An update from October 18: Walter continues to do well after his two surgeries. His amputated wing has started to grow feathers back! He will stay in his current exhibit at least until he finishes his last round of medications.
In other news, the zoo recently received two opossums, Ethel and Lucy, who are now on exhibit.
An update from October 18: Walter continues to do well after his two surgeries. His amputated wing has started to grow feathers back! He will stay in his current exhibit at least until he finishes his last round of medications.
In other news, the zoo recently received two opossums, Ethel and Lucy, who are now on exhibit.
Where in the zoo are Walter and the opossums?
The opossums are in an exhibit near the restrooms- I believe it was home to a parrot species over the summer, but I could be wrong. Walter is in the Snowy Owl exhibit, not sure if there are still snowys at the zoo.
An update on Walter from the zoo's facebook:
"Walter the Bald Eagle has returned to the deer yard! His amputation site has healed well, and keepers have added heat lamps to the main shelter in case he gets chilly."
"Walter the Bald Eagle has returned to the deer yard! His amputation site has healed well, and keepers have added heat lamps to the main shelter in case he gets chilly."
An update from the zoo's facebook page: a 4 year old male skunk named Oreo has moved in to the exhibit across from prairie dogs, formerly home to snowy owls and served as Walter the bald eagle's temporary home while his wing was healing.
There was a fire at the zoo this morning: Ochsner Park enclosure burns down, all animals safe
Thankfully, no animals, staff, or first responders were harmed.
Thankfully, no animals, staff, or first responders were harmed.