Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2022

More sad news out of the zoo, Luke the lion has been euthanized.

Smithsonian's National Zoo on Instagram: "Our Zoo family is mourning the loss of Luke, an African lion who was humanely euthanized Oct. 19. He was 17 years old. The median life expectancy for African lions in human care is 17 years. . . . Luke was trained to voluntarily participate in awake health exams, including routine weigh-ins and blood draws. On Oct. 14, keepers noted that Luke had lost 8 kilograms, or 17.6 pounds, and he was experiencing repeated episodes of lack of appetite. During an exploratory exam Oct. 19, Zoo veterinarians found several cystic masses throughout his liver. They also found moderate-to-severe progression of his spinal condition—several of his cervical vertebra had fused. Given these findings, Luke’s overall long-term quality of life was considered poor, and the animal care team decided to humanely euthanize him. . . . Born at a private reserve in South Africa in 2005, Luke arrived at the Zoo in October 2006 following a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan. Together with his mates, Naba and Shera, Luke sired 13 surviving cubs from four litters. Zoo visitors can see Shera and her offspring Amahle, Shaka and Jumbe on exhibit or on the Zoo’s Lion Cam. . . . “Luke was truly the ‘king’ of the Great Cats exhibit,” said Craig Saffoe, curator of Great Cats, Kids’ Farm, Claws & Paws Pathway and Andean bears. “He was gentle with his mates, Naba and Shera, and an extremely patient and protective father to all 13 of the cubs he sired. Luke has left a lasting legacy, not only in the cubs he contributed to his species’ survival, but also in the millions of visitors who were able to gain a deeper knowledge of and appreciation for African lions because of who he was as the patriarch of his pride.”"
 
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Piece of 2022 News Not Mentioned:

On February 28th, it was announced that a (0.1) tufted deer named Ellie was transferred to the Akron Zoo in Ohio.

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On October 30th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.2) Norway rats named Bubbles and Buttercup which are now on exhibit in the Think Tank building.

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I'm a little late to the NZP news, but is the big bird trail (flamingos, rheas, casowaries, cranes & curassows) behind the bird house still closed?
 
Smaggledagle said:
Piece of 2022 News Not Mentioned:

On February 28th, it was announced that a (0.1) tufted deer named Ellie was transferred to the Akron Zoo in Ohio.

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------------------------------------------------------------

On October 30th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.2) Norway rats named Bubbles and Buttercup which are now on exhibit in the Think Tank building.

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Did the tufted deer leave from SCBI? It was never in the main zoo.
 
According to the website it seems the Ruppell’s griffon vultures have returned to the zoo and are back on exhibit at Cheetah Conservation Station.
 
Kevin2342 said:
According to the website it seems the Ruppell’s griffon vultures have returned to the zoo and are back on exhibit at Cheetah Conservation Station.
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This was mentioned on the previous page. I don't believe they ever left, but were simply just taken off-exhibit for whatever reason. Last time I was at the zoo they were signed in the same yard as the ostrich.
 
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wild boar said:
This is excellent news. What other facilities breed them. I think the Bronx Zoo does but I haven't confirmed that.
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It should be SCBI, Bronx, and SDWAP, but San Diego has been phasing out so many ungulates that I'm not sure if they are still breeding eld's deer.
 
Neil chace said:
It should be SCBI, Bronx, and SDWAP, but San Diego has been phasing out so many ungulates that I'm not sure if they are still breeding eld's deer.
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SDZSP is still committed to this species last I heard and were given several breeding recommendations, at least as of 2020. I would hope that they're planning on continuing with this species since there are so few holders!
 
Andrew_NZP said:
The zoo no longer has striped skunks it appears and a screaming hairy armadillo was put into their old exhibit.
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Striped Skunks are now back on exhibit in the SMH (apparently named "Sauerkraut and Pigpen"). They weren't on exhibit yet last time I was at the zoo, but a keeper told me that the screaming hairy armadillo that was put in their old exhibit would be moving in with the zoos pale-headed saki while the red-rumped agouti that lived with him had already been moved into the big exhibit where the sloths, golden lion tamarins and green aracari live.
 
I went to the zoo a few days ago for the first time since April, I have some updates:
-The lone white-eared titi monkey, Henderson, has moved to another zoo. The zoo dosent want him in the open rainforest with Covid since monkeys are susceptible to Covid and he could be within 6 feet of humans if he is roaming around the rainforest. And it wouldn’t be good for him to live out the rest of his life in the small cage behind the pond, he needs a bigger space. I heard he may or may not return depending on how Covid goes.
-A Cuban crocodile is in the enclosure behind the Reptile Discovery Center where the Philliphine Crocodile used to live.
-Cheetah Conservation Station is in the process of emptying out and is going to be remodeled. By next year all the current animals will be moved to other zoos and once the area is remodeled the zoo will bring in new African species. They will definitely bring back cheetahs, and they may bring back current species and/or get new ones. The area is very old and has been around since the 70’s.
 
Kevin2342 said:
I went to the zoo a few days ago for the first time since April, I have some updates:
-The lone white-eared titi monkey, Henderson, has moved to another zoo. The zoo dosent want him in the open rainforest with Covid since monkeys are susceptible to Covid and he could be within 6 feet of humans if he is roaming around the rainforest. And it wouldn’t be good for him to live out the rest of his life in the small cage behind the pond, he needs a bigger space. I heard he may or may not return depending on how Covid goes.
-A Cuban crocodile is in the enclosure behind the Reptile Discovery Center where the Philliphine Crocodile used to live.
-Cheetah Conservation Station is in the process of emptying out and is going to be remodeled. By next year all the current animals will be moved to other zoos and once the area is remodeled the zoo will bring in new African species. They will definitely bring back cheetahs, and they may bring back current species and/or get new ones. The area is very old and has been around since the 70’s.
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What will replace the Cheetah Conservation Station?
 
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