Zoo Atlanta

Willie B. III is becoming more independent every day! He is now seen frequently on opposite sides of Habitat 4 from his mother, Shalia. Willie B. III is often seen hanging out with Dad, Willie B. Jr, especially when he's exploring new spaces! Willie B. III hasn't ventured far up our new climbing structure yet, but be sure to stop by Habitat 4 and watch him explore new spaces! – Sherri K., Gorilla Care Team (Willie B. III closeup by Sherri K.; platform photo by Jodi C.)

Ya Lun and Xi Lun turn 8 tomorrow! The Panda Care Team has planned some festive surprises for the twins on their big day. Because the twins want to be in on the “birthday surprise” theme too, in panda-perfect fashion, only they know for sure when they will come out into the dayroom to celebrate, so stay tuned throughout the day to PandaCam presented by Cricket!

Scientists at Zoo Atlanta recently published a study conducted by undergraduate students from Georgia Tech, colleagues at Georgia State University, and Zoo team members, investigating how eastern box turtles assess the amount of food presented versus the number of food items. Read on to learn more about the study’s findings.

Would you rather have three pieces of candy instead of just one? I’m sure you would prefer that! But what if the one piece of candy was actually larger than the three pieces combined? Which would you choose? This paper studied cognition, or how information is processed and used to form a decision, in turtles. While there have been hundreds of similar studies in birds and mammals, little work has been done to assess this type of thought process in reptiles, such as turtles, snakes, or lizards.

We offered turtles their favorite food (earthworms) in two dishes in a Y-maze device and let the turtles choose which food to consume first, indicating the food that they found most enticing. Their options included a “more is more” offering in which three worm pieces represented more food than a single worm piece; a “more is equal” offering in which the three worm pieces represented the same amount of food; and a “more is less” offering in which the single worm piece represented more food than the three pieces combined.

We found that box turtles appear to use the number of food items as a primary means of making their choice, but that they were inconsistent with the more difficult situation where more pieces actually represent less food. These sorts of cognitive tasks are necessary challenges for all animals throughout their lives, yet there has been little study of how turtles manage their decision-making in confusing situations. Our results suggest that the turtles appear to base their decisions on the number of food items presented, but were attempting to incorporate additional information, and did not always make the choice that represented the most food.

But don’t worry, none of the turtles were ever denied their food! All the turtles got to eat worms on every trial and continue eating worms after the trial was complete.

- Dr. Joe Mendelson, Director of Research

Throughout the years, Zoo Atlanta has had plenty of cause for celebration, but few things have rivaled the scope and excitement of panda cub arrivals. Take a look back at all seven bundles of joy in this week's 25 Years of Panda blog!

There's a reason panda births are such a big deal. Until 2016, giant pandas were listed as Endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), meaning each and every panda birth was (and remains) significant for the species. Furthermore, giant panda reproduction is particularly challenging. Female giant pandas experience only a short window of fertility every year, which has made the reproductive successes at Zoo Atlanta especially rewarding for our Panda Care Team, Veterinary Team, and partners in China. And then, of course, there’s the special connection so many of our guests and fans around the world have to the pandas .

We’ve had the immense privilege to celebrate the births of seven panda cubs at the Zoo, all offspring of Lun Lun and Yang Yang. Read on to learn more about the Zoo Atlanta-born cubs, as we continue to celebrate a quarter-decade of the giant panda program here at the Zoo.

Mei Lan:
Lun Lun and Yang Yang’s firstborn arrived on September 6, 2006, after a 36-hour labor (the longest ever for a giant panda at the time). Despite being a first-time mom, Lun Lun immediately demonstrated excellent maternal care, which would continue with all her offspring.

As the first panda cub born in Atlanta (and the only cub born in the United States in 2006), Mei Lan was an instant celebrity: his milestones were regular features in the news cycles, and tributes to him were held throughout the city. As with all Zoo Atlanta panda cubs, Mei Lan received his name at a 100 Day Naming Celebration, in tribute to the ancient Chinese tradition. Mei Lan’s name translates to “Atlanta Beauty,” and was chosen by over 57,000 voters via an online poll hosted by The Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Mei Lan departed Atlanta for the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, his parents’ birthplace, on February 4, 2010. Much like his parents, Mei Lan traveled on a specially branded plane, and his departure received a ceremonial water cannon salute.

Xi Lan:
Xi Lan’s arrival on April 30, 2008 was a much speedier affair than his brother’s, with labor lasting only nine hours. Despite being second born, Xi Lan earned a special place in Atlanta’s heart with his big personality and rough-and-tumble playstyle (so much so that many of our panda fans still consider Xi Lan a favorite).

Xi Lan’s name was announced at his 100 Day Ceremony, and translates to “Atlanta’s Joy,” chosen via an online poll on Zoo Atlanta’s website. The ceremony featured a traditional Chinese Dragon Dance and was attended by many of Atlanta’s elected officials, including former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, along with representatives of the China State Forestry Administration, Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens, and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Xi Lan departed Atlanta for the Chengdu Research Base in May 2014.

Po:
Few animals have received quite as much celebrity treatment as Lun Lun and Yang Yang’s third infant, born on November 3, 2010. With her birth coinciding with the release of DreamWorks’ Kung Fu Panda, Po was named in partnership with DreamWorks Animation in tribute to the film’s main character. At her Naming Day Ceremony, Po’s name was announced by none other than Jack Black, the film’s star.

Po departed for China, where she is now known as “A Bao,” alongside brother Xi Lan in 2014.

Mei Lun and Mei Huan:
The first pair of panda twins to be born in the United States since 1987, Mei Lun and Mei Huan arrived on July 15, 2013. Although twins occur in panda births around 50 percent of the time, only one fetus had appeared on ultrasounds during Lun Lun’s pregnancy, making the second cub a special surprise for all those following the birth.

In the wild, giant panda mothers are typically only able to care for a single cub, so Zoo Atlanta employed a “swapping technique,” by which one cub would be with Lun Lun in the birthing den while the other was maintained in an incubator until it was time for the two to rotate positions. By December of the same year, both twins were fully under Lun Lun’s expert care.

The twins’ names, meaning “something indescribably beautiful and magnificent,” were announced live on Good Morning America after an online poll hosted by the show. The twins departed for China in November 2016, with travel supplies that included 375 pounds of bamboo; eight gallons of water; and 25 pounds of favorite treats, including sugarcane, leafeater biscuits, and bananas.

Xi Lun and Ya Lun:
Lun Lun and Yang Yang’s final offspring arrived on September 3, 2016. As with Mei Lun and Mei Huan, the Zoo Atlanta Team utilized the swapping technique until Lun Lun was ready to take over both their care.

Many of our panda fans know Ya Lun and Xi Lun, whose names mean “Lun Lun’s elegant and happy daughters,” very well. As the only panda cubs still to reside at the Zoo, viewers can currently catch the twins (and their parents) around the clock on Panda Cam.

Ya Lun and Xi Lun are expected to travel alongside their parents to Chengdu sometimes in the fourth quarter of this year. More specific information will be shared as soon as it becomes available.

After the birth of Ya Lun and Xi Lun, the decision was made, with the backing of our partners in Chengdu, not to pursue further breeding with Lun Lun and Yang Yang, largely in consideration of Lun Lun’s age. If you ask us, after raising all these little ones, Lun Lun more than deserves her peaceful golden years, and her contributions to her species are nothing short of legendary.

Thank you to everyone who has joined in celebration of all the Zoo Atlanta cubs- it’s been our great joy to share these special moments with you over the past 18 years.

Walking down the main path of the Zoo, many of our guests are delighted to see our lappet-faced vulture pair, Amana and Anubis. With a wingspan of eight to nine feet, they are the largest vulture species in Africa, which makes them hard to miss! What guests might not notice in that habitat, though, is the third lappet-faced vulture, who has been staying out of sight on a nest for the past few months. Her name is Seti.

Seti hatched on May 22, in an incubator under the careful eyes of the Bird Care Team. From there, she was brought to our behind-the-scenes Avian Propagation Center to be hand-raised with a vulture puppet for 10 days, before being re-introduced to her parents Amana and Anubis. She was hand-raised first to ensure she was perfectly healthy, giving a good feeding response, and large enough to withstand an injury if a parent were to accidentally brood her incorrectly. Lappet-faced vultures are endangered and typically only lay one to two eggs in a breeding season. Seti was the third and last of the season, so we wanted to set her and her parents up for success before putting them together.

When she was finally placed on the nest in the habitat, Anubis was the first one to investigate. When he realized there was a chick, he immediately started keeping her warm and taking care of her. When she was younger, Amana and Anubis took turns feeding and brooding. She is about 3 months old now, and both parents have been doing an amazing job feeding her, though she’s big enough that they can leave her alone most of the time. Seti tends to spend her days eating, sleeping, and practicing flapping her wings for when she’s ready to leave the nest. She’s almost as big as her parents, but she won’t leave the nest until late September at the earliest. Until then, you might be lucky enough to sneak a peek at her through the window of the shed!

Claire S.
Keeper I, Birds

(photos: Lauren W.)

Yesterday was Lun Lun’s 27th birthday! If you have followed along with our panda updates, you may have read about some of the preparations that went into getting ready for this special day. Now that she has seen her own surprises, I thought I could dive a little deeper into the specific items she was given.

She had a few different small ice “cakes” offered. One was a “scentsickle” that contained her favorite scent: diluted Listerine! This has been a favorite scent of Lun Lun’s for many years (as always, any scents used for scent enrichment with the pandas and other animals are approved as safe for use by our Veterinary Team).

She also had a “27” cake with banana slices frozen inside. Her favorite ice treat was one containing a piece of sugar cane. Of all the items in her dayroom to investigate, this was the item she chose to interact with first. There was a birthday banner across the structure announcing her birthday. She had a large cardboard “cake” that had some leafeater biscuits inside and was topped with some of her other favorite scents: cinnamon and decaf coffee grounds. She had cardboard box “presents” containing hay and more leafeater biscuits. A paper “party hat” was placed up high for her to find. My favorite birthday decorations of hers were the paper chains spanning the dayroom structure that featured photos of her (including a baby picture if you look closely!). This year, a team of our amazing Volunteers helped us put together all of her party items, and we are so thankful for their help! They really helped make Lun Lun’s last birthday in Atlanta before traveling to China one to remember.

Lun Lun is still exhibiting some signs of pseudopregnancy (check out our previous updates for more on that). We were unsure if she would be willing to participate in her birthday activities as she has been so sleepy these days, but she seems to have thoroughly enjoyed her special day. We have some similar plans in store for the twins’ birthday on September 3 and then Yang Yang’s on September 9, so be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming birthday parties! The twins are also still experiencing pseudopregnancies, so we hope they will be as engaged with their birthday enrichment as Lun Lun was, but that remains to be seen. It’s all part of the birthday surprise!

– Panda Care Team

With fall just around the corner, that means we are about to enter panda birthday season! Every year the Panda Care Team makes sure the bears feel extra special on their birthdays. We’ll kick off birthday season by wishing a Happy Birthday to this beautiful mama – Lun Lun turns 27 this Sunday, August 25!

Some of the examples of enrichment and special treats the Panda Care Team likes to prepare for the birthdays include large fruit-flavored ice “cakes;” festively painted boxes filled with leafeater biscuits, vegetables, and fruit; party streamers; and other fun enrichment items. All of these items are made with the pandas’ natural behaviors in mind. They enjoy tearing and shredding the cardboard and paper with their strong jaws and teeth, and Lun Lun especially loves to use the cardboard strips to make a cozy nest for her late morning nap. The pandas love the fruit-flavored ice cakes, not only because they taste good, but because pandas also love cold weather and snow, so a cake made of ice is a perfect treat.

Be sure to tune in to PandaCam (presented by Cricket Wireless) on Sunday to see Lun Lun’s birthday festivities. Check in between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – our birthday girl has been enjoying sleeping in lately, and it’s her choice whether she prefers to be a “morning bear” or not. So if you don’t see her at that time, be sure to check back later in the day!

- Panda Care Team

Hey everyone, my name is AJ, one of the members of the Hoofstock Animal Care Team. If you’ve been to the Zoo lately, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the incredibly curious and ever-growing rhino calf, Zuri! As of this blog, Zuri is nearly 8 months old and weighs in right around 800 pounds, a great weight for a calf her age. In fact, Zuri has been gaining an average of about 20 pounds every week, showing how well she has been taken care of by her mother, Kiazi. You may have seen some habitat modifications since Zuri was born or are just wondering what all goes into the part we play in her quality care, so that’s what I wanted to share with y’all today.

Zuri was born in the birthing stall of the rhino complex, with lots of hay and shavings on the ground to help insulate the floor and help keep the area nice, warm, and dry for the baby. They also help make Kiazi as comfortable during the birth as possible. The Hoofstock Team, along with the Zoo’s Vet Team, were able to watch the birthing process through cameras set up in the stall. Because Zuri would have the greatest success at life with Kiazi raising her, the decision was made to not intervene unless it was absolutely necessary. Thankfully, Kiazi is an experienced mother and everything with the birth went as smoothly as possible. Zuri was born on Christmas Eve, and we couldn’t have been happier!

As Zuri continued to explore new spaces of the rhino complex, lots of measures were taken to ensure that her safety was the number one concern. We put “babyproofing panels” up along all perimeters of each space in the area to close gaps that are adult rhino proof but not quite Zuri proof! Additionally, we added concrete bricks to their large water troughs which allowed the rhinos to still drink but prevented Zuri from being able to get into the drinkers and ending up in deep water!

Zuri has grown quite a bit, as was described earlier, and we have been able to take down most of the baby proofing panels around their barn spaces, as well as all of the bricks out of the drinkers. While she had only been with her mom, Kiazi, since she was born, the biggest next step Zuri and the team had to take was introductions to the other rhinos. Safety, as mentioned before, is of utmost importance, so we wanted to give Zuri plenty of time to grow up happy and healthy with Kiazi before joining the “crash” of rhinos here at Zoo Atlanta. After months of discussion and preparation, we recently started giving Kiazi and Zuri time out on habitat with the Zoo’s other adult female rhino, Dakari. While there is nervous concern from the keepers before any animal introductions, as anything is possible, these concerns were unwarranted, as the introductions have been going extremely well. Zuri seems to really like spending time with her “Aunt Dakari.” These monitored introductions will continue until the team feels they have been integrated well enough to share space regularly.

This is just one great example of how Zoo Atlanta is committed to conservation. Southern white rhinos are considered near threatened in their native ranges, with population decreases due in large to human interference. By sustaining a genetically healthy population of rhinos in AZA-accredited zoos like Zoo Atlanta, the Zoo is able to ensure this incredible species is protected in the future, and Zuri is the perfect little (not so little) ambassador! It takes a lot to raise a rhino!

AJ T.
Keeper II, Hoofstock

Have you felt that ever so slight chill in the early morning air the past few days? Fall is on its way, which means it's time to declutter the house, including those pesky old electronics hiding in various drawers. And when you recycle your old electronics with us, you help gorillas (and receive discounts or free rides)! It's a win all around!

Starting Monday, August 19 and continuing through Friday, August 30, 2024, visitors can bring small electronics, such as cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, and digital cameras, to recycle with Zoo Atlanta.

We'll also be accepting larger items such as monitors, desktop PCs and printers, during a single-day E-Waste Recycling Event on August 23, 2024. All small electronic devices recycled through these programs will be recycled through the Gorillas on the Line … Answer the Call campaign and the Zoo’s partners at ECO-CELL.

More details here:

RECYCLE ELECTRONICS AT ZOO ATLANTA TO HELP SAVE WILDLIFE - Zoo Atlanta Bring electronics to the Zoo with a two-week campaign and a single-day recycling event

Happy International Orangutan Day! Our Team is devoted to the care of conservation of orangutans, here in Atlanta and in the wild. Check out this message from our friends at Borneo Nature Foundation about the role zoos play in helping save this critically endangered species.

Nutella, a Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth at Zoo Atlanta, gave birth to an infant on August 9, 2024. The newborn is the second offspring of Nutella, 7, and male Cocoa, 31.

The gestation period for sloths is unusually long for the animal kingdom at 11 to 12 months; however, pregnancies are not easily confirmed. Nutella’s firstborn, Olivia, was born on Father’s Day in 2023.

Although sloths are famous for their slow movements, sloth infants develop at a notably more rapid pace than do most other mammal babies. They are born fully furred, with their eyes open and teeth already present, and have fully developed claws for clinging to their mothers.

“We are very excited about the birth of Nutella’s infant,” said Gina Ferrie, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation. “Sloths have so many fascinating adaptations and behaviors that we can share with our Members and guests, and while they are not currently classified as endangered, they have an emerging conservation story that can help us appreciate the impact of human activities on wild animals and ecosystems.”

Native to Central and South America, Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths face mounting threats in the wild. In addition to challenges such as habitat loss for illegal logging, hundreds of sloths are electrocuted each year while attempting to use power lines to travel among fragmented forest patches. Based in Costa Rica, the Sloth Conservation Project, which works to rescue, rehabilitate, and release wild sloths impacted by deforestation and power line injuries, is a program that has been supported by Zoo Atlanta’s Conservation Fund.

Nutella and Cocoa were recommended to breed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP), which seeks to maintain healthy, genetically diverse, and self-sustaining animal populations in accredited zoos. Lynn Yakubinis, a Lead Keeper at Zoo Atlanta, coordinates AZA-wide SSP programs for both Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths and Linne’s two-toed sloths.

Nutella and her infant may be seen daily, weather permitting, in the Zoo’s summer sloth habitat located in the KIDZone. Plan a visit or learn more at zooatlanta.org. (photos: Jodi C.)

Happy World Elephant Day! The Elephant Team made sure Tara, Kelly, and Msholo had a top notch celebration in the Zoo's African Savanna today! (photos: Kirby M.)

We’ve mentioned in recent updates that some of the female pandas have been going through pseudopregnancy, a normal phenomenon with female giant pandas wherein their bodies undergo hormonal changes that are similar to pregnancy, although none of our pandas are pregnant. (If you’re not caught up, please see our blog and social media updates from July 29, July 22, and July 15 to learn more about this phenomenon.)

They also exhibit behavioral changes. For the past week or so, all three females, Lun Lun, Xi Lun, and Ya Lun, have been in overlapping stages of pseudopregnancy. That means they have been mostly choosing to stay behind the scenes and sleep, and Yang Yang has been the star of the show! He has been our only visible giant panda some days when the others decide to stay inside. As always, it’s very important to the Panda Care Team that the pandas have an opportunity to choose where they are most comfortable.

Changes are afoot, though! Ya Lun is showing signs that she is reaching the end of her pseudopregnancy, and hopefully we will have more sightings of her in the dayrooms coming up soon. Some of the signs we’ve been seeing are her waking up a little earlier in the morning, an increase in activity, and a slight uptick in her bamboo consumption. Lun Lun should be the next to return to her normal state, with Xi Lun bringing up the rear since she entered pseudopregnancy last. That’s only what we expect, though – the pandas always make the final call, and we always listen!

- Panda Care Team

Zoo Atlanta is saddened by the news of the passing of our friend and partner in conservation, Dr. Brian Davis, CEO of Georgia Aquarium.

Dr. Davis was a visionary leader – a champion for education, conservation, and partnership. The AZA community will miss his light. Not only did he bring these gifts to the AZA community, but he helped to uplift the importance of Atlanta as a national destination for wildlife education, connections, and more.

Our thoughts are with his family, our colleagues at the Georgia Aquarium, and with the many, many people who were inspired by his leadership.

It is with immense sadness we announce the passing of our leader, friend, and mentor, president and CEO, Dr. Brian Davis. Brian was an exceptionally talented and intelligent individual who left a tremendous imprint on the education and zoological fields. Furthermore, he was a beautifully compassionate human being who lifted others up and dedicated himself to creating a caring and diverse space at the Aquarium.

He was a dynamic thinker and always pushed the boundaries of what we could achieve, making Georgia Aquarium an extraordinary place. He was one of the first employees at the Aquarium prior to opening in 2005 and led us through years of innovation and growth. Brian’s indelible imprint made all those he knew better – we are better because of Brian.

As we navigate this heartbreaking news, our priority lies with caring for staff. We may have limited operations over the coming days to allow our staff time to grieve.

“We are heartbroken by this news. Brian was a giant in leadership with his intellect, wisdom, and imagination,” said Steve Koonin, Chairman of the board of Georgia Aquarium.

Our thoughts are with Brian’s family and all those that he touched throughout his life.

The Zoo Atlanta family is saddened to share news of the passing of Sequoyah, a male bald eagle, on August 7, 2024.

Hatched in the wild, Sequoyah sustained a wing injury, most probably as a result of a collision with a power line, and underwent rehabilitation at the Southeast Raptor Center. According to federal law, all bald eagles which are capable of being released into the wild must be released into the wild. Due to the nature of Sequoyah’s wing injury, however, he was determined to be non-releasable and in need of a permanent home in human care. He arrived at Zoo Atlanta in June 2015 in a move approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

While it is known that Sequoyah was an adult when he arrived at Zoo Atlanta, his age is not known. Although Sequoyah’s original wing injury healed, in recent weeks, the Animal Care and Veterinary Teams observed that he may have been experiencing increased discomfort in his wing. Following close monitoring, the Veterinary Team conducted diagnostic procedures which revealed a poor prognosis. The teams made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize Sequoyah on August 7.

“Sequoyah was a magnificent individual who introduced countless Zoo Members and guests to the majesty of a national symbol, and he represented a conservation story for one of North America’s most treasured native species,” said Gina Ferrie, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation. “As he was a bird who was not going to be able to survive in the wild, we are honored to have been able to provide him with the best possible home and care over the past nine years.”

Best known as a national symbol of the United States, bald eagles are a federally protected species currently considered threatened in Georgia. They are found only in North America, ranging north from Canada and Alaska and through the contiguous United States and into northern Mexico. They are most often spotted near coasts, rivers and large lakes, as their diet consists primarily of fish.



Their most pressing threats are power line collisions, as was likely the case with Sequoyah, as well as automobile collisions, lead poisoning, and pollution.

Don't miss the last chance of the summer to experience our after-hours cocktail series! Savanna Nights is back one more time with a Wild N' Nerdy theme this Friday, August 9. Enjoy live music, animal presentations, pop culture and animal trivia, and more. Check out the link below for more details and to snag tickets!
https://zooatlanta.org/event/savanna-nights/

Sweet moments with Madu and Nangka recently 🧡

Our petting zoo herd is missing a friend today. Our Animal Care and Veterinary Teams had been closely monitoring Franklin, one of our Southdown babydoll sheep, for a recent age-related decline in his health. The teams made the heartbreaking decision to humanely euthanize Franklin yesterday.

At over 10 years old, Franklin lived a long life for his breed, and it was a life spent surrounded by favorite people and animals. Sheep can be standoffish, but this word did not describe Franklin, affectionately known as “Frank the Tank” by his care team. A quiet solicitor of pats, he was known to sneak up on members of his care team and patiently wait for his favorite brand of scratches.

Over his lifetime at Zoo Atlanta, he met thousands of children, some of whom were meeting an animal for the first time. And as highly as we value the importance of connections with animals, we know that interactions like these can shape lives.

Our thoughts are with our Ambassador Animals Team.