Sedgwick County Zoo sedgwick county zoo

All bird areas closed due to Avian influenza.

From Facebook:
BIRD AREAS CLOSED AS PRECAUTION AGAINST AVIAN INFLUENZA
Sedgwick County Zoo officials have been closely following reports from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) moving across the United States. HPAI is a zoonotic disease that is carried by birds, mainly migratory waterfowl. While this particular strain is not believed to pose a high risk to human health, many Zoo animals are susceptible to the disease. This includes all birds, some mammals, and possibly some reptiles.
This afternoon, SCZ learned of a positive case of HPAI in central Kansas. The close proximity of the disease has triggered the Sedgwick County Zoo to implement its HPAI action plan in order to protect the health of animals and humans, as well as its business operations.
To protect its bird residents, the Zoo’s bird exhibits will be closed to the public until further notice. Many birds have been moved to indoor habitats, while others have received habitat modifications to prevent contact with wild birds. Animal care staff will use personal protective equipment while caring for the birds at SCZ.
Additionally, the Zoo has halted the sale of fish food available to guests in an effort to encourage wild waterfowl to forage elsewhere. Penguin Encounters will be on hold as well until the threat has passed.
Avian influenza – commonly called “bird flu” – is a viral infection that occurs naturally in birds. Wild birds can carry the virus but may not always get sick from it. Some domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys can become infected, often fatally.
Although it is possible for humans to become infected with avian influenza, the CDC states that the virus does not spread easily from animals to humans.
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2021 News:

On April 24th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) mantled guereza monkey was born the weekend prior. On August 17th, the zoo announced its name, Solana.

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On May 3rd, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) American bison, a (0.0.1) common squirrel monkey, and (0.0.2) domestic sheep/goats? (breed not specified) were born.

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On May 27th, the zoo announced it has opened a new entry complex to the public.

Sedgwick County Zoo - 50th Birthday Celebration Announcements | Facebook

On June 1st, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) kea parrot was born. It is the first time the species has been born at the facility.

We are very excited to announce the... - Sedgwick County Zoo

On June 28th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) common chimpanzee named Audra passed away at age 51 due to advanced heart disease.

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On August 26th, the zoo announced they have acquired (5.0) African painted dogs from an unspecified facility in February.

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On September 9th, the zoo announced that (0.0.6) slender-tailed meerkats were born on August 24th.

We’re going back 2 back with birth... - Sedgwick County Zoo

On September 28th, the zoo announced they have acquired (1.1) snow leopards (a first for the facility) named Tashi and Jata from Zoo Boise in Idaho and the Great Plains Zoo in South Dakota respectively.

The zoo also announced they have acquired (1.1) Amur leopards named Lev and Storm from the San Diego Zoo in California and the Hogle Zoo in Utah respectively.

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On October 27th, the zoo announced they have acquired a (0.1) common chimpanzee named Mahale from the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas.

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On November 2nd, the zoo announced that their (0.1) common hippo named Sweety Pie has turned 50 years old.

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2022 News:

On March 10th, the zoo acquired (2.1) Aldabra giant tortoises named Bainbridge, Noble, and Galena from the Wildcare Foundation in Oklahoma.

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On April 7th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) Pineywoods cow was born on April 6th.

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WhistlingKite24 said:
Two Southern Cassowaries hatched at the Sedgwick County Zoo last month. From their social media:

"We’re excited to announce that last month, two healthy cassowary chicks were hatched here at SCZ! Huge shout out to our ASA Bird Keepers for all their hard work as they continue to hand-rear these beautiful chicks behind the scenes. Stay tuned for updates on the progress of these two."
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On April 11th, the zoo announced their names, Berlari and Lembu.

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On April 15th, the zoo announced they had officially opened Stingray Cove to the public.

Stingray Cove is now officially... - Sedgwick County Zoo

On April 20th, the zoo announced they have a new President and CEO, Scott Newland.

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On May 12th, the zoo announced that construction on the new Martha C. Buford Safari Express is underway, opening in Summer 2022.

Construction on the Martha C. Buford... - Sedgwick County Zoo

On May 13th, the zoo announced that due to no new cases of avian influenza has popped up in a ~100-mile radius, they have decided to let their flamingos, pelicans, farm birds, African storks, and cranes back on exhibit.

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On June 17th, the zoo announced they have reacquired a (1.0) Aldabra giant tortoise named Rocket who has spent the last decade at the Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma and the Bronx Zoo in New York. The zoo also announced they have acquired (0.2) Galapagos giant tortoises named Ynez and Soledad from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas. They are the facility's first Galapagos giant tortoises and, along with the Aldabra giant tortoise, are now on exhibit just outside the South America/Australia exhibit.

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Smaggledagle said:
On June 17th, the zoo announced they have reacquired a (1.0) Aldabra giant tortoise named Rocket who has spent the last decade at the Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma and the Bronx Zoo in New York. The zoo also announced they have acquired (0.2) Galapagos giant tortoises named Ynez and Soledad from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas. They are the facility's first Galapagos giant tortoises and, along with the Aldabra giant tortoise, are now on exhibit just outside the South America/Australia exhibit.

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The two Galaps are microphyes tortoises.

~Thylo
 
ThylacineAlive said:
The two Galaps are microphyes tortoises.

~Thylo
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In effect, the 2 12 year old female tortoises arrived rom the Gladys Porter Zoo. They go by the names of Ynez and Soledad.

Note: I could not trace either from among the GPZ (the oldest were 9-10 year olds) offspring. They are certainly not any of the 3 hybrid (1 born 1956 and 2 in 1995) or the only Chelonoidis becki female tortoise (born 2005) they held in 2018.
 
Smaggledagle said:
On June 17th, the zoo announced they have reacquired a (1.0) Aldabra giant tortoise named Rocket who has spent the last decade at the Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma and the Bronx Zoo in New York. The zoo also announced they have acquired (0.2) Galapagos giant tortoises named Ynez and Soledad from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas. They are the facility's first Galapagos giant tortoises and, along with the Aldabra giant tortoise, are now on exhibit just outside the South America/Australia exhibit.

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There seems to be a renewed interest in giant tortoises in US and AZA zoos. Sedgwick Zoo now maintains 3.1 Aldabran and 0.2 Galapagos tortoises.

I assume that it might also signal the evolution towards another SSP is in the making. In Europe, Praha Zoo, Czech Republic is now managing an Aldabran\Seychelles giant tortoises studbook / ESB/EEP.
 
@Kifaru Bwana I've never understood why there isn't an Aldabra giant tortoise SSP to begin with. Aldabrans are actually more common in AZA zoos than Galapagos giant tortoises are, are of high conservation and exhibit value, and I'd imagine (as with the Galapagos) there would be concerns about overproducing or genetically mismatching animals that will live for potentially over a century. I haven't seen or heard a specific reason why they've lacked a program for so long.
 
When I visited two months ago, I learned that today (October 18th) is Pudgie the female Nile Hippo's 50th birthday. With the other hippo, (also a female) Sweetie Pie being 51 years old, then this may be the first time that a zoo has had two hippos that are 50 or older at the same time. What I mean by that is two hippos that are both currently 50 years older and living at the same place at the same time.
EDIT: I found out that Bert and Bertha at the Manila Zoo were both alive in 2008 at age 56, but both have since died.
 
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