Sacramento Zoo Sacramento Zoo News

[Kifaru Bwana]

On September 30th, the zoo announced they will transfer their (1.0) snow leopard named Blizzard to another unspecified facility in early October.

Sacramento Zoo

The current pair had one club in 2018 (now at Wheeling).

 

[Milwaukee Man]

Cleo the lioness has died at age 19.

Cleo, Sacramento Zoo's 19-year-old African lioness, dies after kidney failure

 

[WhistlingKite24]

A Thick-billed Parrot has fledged - reported on social media.

 

[Milwaukee Man]

Binti the lioness has arrived from Detroit.

Sacramento Zoo welcomes 3-year-old lioness "Binti" from Detroit Zoo - CBS Sacramento

 

[Smaggledagle]

A Thick-billed Parrot has fledged - reported on social media.

On November 16th, the zoo announced that 1+ more thick-billed parrot(s) hatched/fledged.

Sacramento Zoo

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

On November 16th, the zoo announced that 1+ more thick-billed parrot(s) hatched/fledged.

Sacramento Zoo

Nice to see that Sacramento Zoo has somehow mastered the art of breeding their thick-billed parrots successfully. I still hold out that at some given point in the future that captive-reared birds can be used to repopulate their natural ranges from whence the species has disappeared completely to bring back an ecological niche in the SW/central desert ecosystem.

 

[Great Argus]

Finally some update on the new zoo situation! Things are still moving ahead and the zoo has raised roughly a third of the needed amount. More conceptual art has been released for the first phase, seen here:
Learn More About Our Campaign | Vision for a Wild Tomorrow

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

The map design looks almost completely identical to the one from November 2023, but one small change I noticed was that Rhinos are now in the Phase 1A-1B rather than 1C. This does look like a really nice plan and I can't wait until the day this magnificent place opens in a few years!
(map comparison: November 2023 vs now)

 

[Great Argus]

The map design looks almost completely identical to the one from November 2023, but one small change I noticed was that Rhinos are now in the Phase 1A-1B rather than 1C.

Rhino has always been in phase 1A, that's part of why they brought in one to the current zoo.

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

Rhino has always been in phase 1A, that's part of why they brought in one to the current zoo.

I suppose I was wrong 14 months ago, the confusion may have been the rhino breeding facility and outdoor yard being in 1C.

Phasing plans for the new zoo:
1A-1B - African Savanna (Lion and Giraffe) & primates
1C - Rhino, Hippo, Zebra, Ostrich
2 - Bear, Elk, and other North American Species
3 - Administrative Building
4 - Australasia (Tiger and Leopard)

I also suspect J Gregory is probably going to permanently stay in Sacramento and move to the new zoo as he is a bit on the older side for a rhino at about 30, and he has done his job as a proven breeding bull when he was in San Diego, having sired six calves in just five years.

 

[Smaggledagle]

Also on January 23rd, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (1.0) capybara named Donatello to the Happy Hollow Park & Zoo in California.

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo

On February 5th, the zoo announced they acquired 2 Virginia opossums named Basil and Sage from an unspecified wildlife rehabber which are now animal ambassadors.

Sacramento Zoo

 

[Great Argus]

Committee vote has approved the new name of "Elk Grove-Sacramento Zoo" for the new location. This is to acknowledge the strong backing the city of Elk Grove is providing while keeping the name Sacramento for recognition and fundraising purposes.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Committee vote has approved the new name of "Elk Grove-Sacramento Zoo" for the new location. This is to acknowledge the strong backing the city of Elk Grove is providing while keeping the name Sacramento for recognition and fundraising purposes.

When can they start up building and planning for opening of the first Phase?

 

[Great Argus]

When can they start up building and planning for opening of the first Phase?

I keep seeing different dates thrown around so I'm not quite sure what the current status is. General consensus would seem construction might start mid to late next year or at least by 2027. Opening could be who knows depending on the actual start date and construction variables.

 

[IndianRhino]

A female Masai giraffe calf was born on March 1st to parents, Amirah and Chifu!

SacramentoZoo on Instagram: "We are very excited to announce that Amirah the giraffe gave birth to a female calf on Saturday, March 1st at 2:56pm. Amirah's calf is healthy and nursing well from mom. Senior Manager of Animal Care, Melissa McCartney, said “Our entire team is thrilled by how well Amirah and her new baby are doing. We are thankful this was a textbook labor and delivery, with a strong and healthy calf on her feet within 2 hours of her birth and nursing shortly thereafter. Mom and calf are bonding behind the scenes and the entire herd is enjoying looking on and greeting the newest member of our zoo family.” The Sacramento Zoo is now home to five female Masai giraffes; Shani, Amirah, Glory, Cheyenne and the new calf. This is the 22nd calf born at the Sacramento Zoo going back to 1954 when giraffes were first housed in Sacramento. The pair will be given bonding time but may be visible at their habitat’s side yard periodically beginning in the next few weeks. The official debut date will be dependent on the health and welfare of mom and calf. Keep an eye out on our social media pages for when this new addition to our herd will be visible!"

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

A female Masai giraffe calf was born on March 1st to parents, Amirah and Chifu!

SacramentoZoo on Instagram: "We are very excited to announce that Amirah the giraffe gave birth to a female calf on Saturday, March 1st at 2:56pm. Amirah's calf is healthy and nursing well from mom. Senior Manager of Animal Care, Melissa McCartney, said “Our entire team is thrilled by how well Amirah and her new baby are doing. We are thankful this was a textbook labor and delivery, with a strong and healthy calf on her feet within 2 hours of her birth and nursing shortly thereafter. Mom and calf are bonding behind the scenes and the entire herd is enjoying looking on and greeting the newest member of our zoo family.” The Sacramento Zoo is now home to five female Masai giraffes; Shani, Amirah, Glory, Cheyenne and the new calf. This is the 22nd calf born at the Sacramento Zoo going back to 1954 when giraffes were first housed in Sacramento. The pair will be given bonding time but may be visible at their habitat’s side yard periodically beginning in the next few weeks. The official debut date will be dependent on the health and welfare of mom and calf. Keep an eye out on our social media pages for when this new addition to our herd will be visible!"

The zoo has started a contest to name the baby one of three names, Gumdrop, Sumi, or Monica, and if possible the calf will make her public debut this week.
https://fox40.com/news/local-news/sacramento/sacramento-zoo-invites-community-to-name-baby-giraffe/

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

A female Masai giraffe calf was born on March 1st to parents, Amirah and Chifu!

SacramentoZoo on Instagram: "We are very excited to announce that Amirah the giraffe gave birth to a female calf on Saturday, March 1st at 2:56pm. Amirah's calf is healthy and nursing well from mom. Senior Manager of Animal Care, Melissa McCartney, said “Our entire team is thrilled by how well Amirah and her new baby are doing. We are thankful this was a textbook labor and delivery, with a strong and healthy calf on her feet within 2 hours of her birth and nursing shortly thereafter. Mom and calf are bonding behind the scenes and the entire herd is enjoying looking on and greeting the newest member of our zoo family.” The Sacramento Zoo is now home to five female Masai giraffes; Shani, Amirah, Glory, Cheyenne and the new calf. This is the 22nd calf born at the Sacramento Zoo going back to 1954 when giraffes were first housed in Sacramento. The pair will be given bonding time but may be visible at their habitat’s side yard periodically beginning in the next few weeks. The official debut date will be dependent on the health and welfare of mom and calf. Keep an eye out on our social media pages for when this new addition to our herd will be visible!"

The zoo has started a contest to name the baby one of three names, Gumdrop, Sumi, or Monica, and if possible the calf will make her public debut this week.
https://fox40.com/news/local-news/sacramento/sacramento-zoo-invites-community-to-name-baby-giraffe/

The baby has been named Sumi.
SacramentoZoo on Instagram: "We are excited to announce that our adorable baby Masai giraffe, born on March 1, has been given the name Sumi! The name Sumi was inspired by sumac browse, a favorite snack of Sumi’s mother, Amirah, during her pregnancy. The name is a playful nod to the sumac tree, and also honors the important role that the local community plays in supporting the zoo’s giraffes through its browse donation program. These donations help provide fresh, nutritious browse for the giraffe herd, enriching their diet and environment. Thank you for your support! With your votes, you helped raise funds for a new shade structure for the zoo’s giraffes. Your donations are already being put to good use, with construction on the new structure beginning this week. Come visit Sumi at the giraffe habitat today! Giraffe-themed educational activities will be available all day on Friday, April 4! Now a little over a month old, Sumi is already becoming a familiar face in the giraffe yard, where she spends her days exploring alongside the rest of the herd. Still very much a baby, guests can most easily see her at zoo opening, when she enjoys exploring the outdoors before retreating to the giraffe barn for a rest."

 

[Zoofan15]

Two Clouded leopard have arrived:

Serai and Rajasi have been transferred in from Zoo Miami:

0.1 Serai (HANNIBAL x JAO CHU) 2011-05-13
1.0 Rajasi (ARUN x JING JAI) 2011-03-19

From socials:

Say hello to the newest members of the Sacramento Zoo family, clouded leopards Serai and Rajasi!

The pair are settling in and can be spotted in their new habitat just next to the capybaras on Big Cat Row. In the next few weeks, you may notice them alternating time in their habitat getting some solo time to learn the new space.

 

[Great Argus]

Two Clouded leopard have arrived:

Serai and Rajasi have been transferred in from Zoo Miami:

0.1 Serai (HANNIBAL x JAO CHU) 2011-05-13
1.0 Rajasi (ARUN x JING JAI) 2011-03-19

From socials:

Say hello to the newest members of the Sacramento Zoo family, clouded leopards Serai and Rajasi!

The pair are settling in and can be spotted in their new habitat just next to the capybaras on Big Cat Row. In the next few weeks, you may notice them alternating time in their habitat getting some solo time to learn the new space.

They are in the old Snow Leopard habitat, as part of the "let's see how many new zoo species we can fit into the current zoo" project. I do feel Cloudies are better suited to the climate though, so I think this is a good swap.

 

[Coelacanth18]

I do feel Cloudies are better suited to the climate though, so I think this is a good swap.

And finally a California zoo has Cloudies on display!