ZooBorns

Ladies and Gentlemen, Elvis (The Baby Wombat) Has Entered The Building

2013-05-24T11:21:54-05:00

At family-run Wild About Wildlife Rescue Center in Kilmore, Victoria, marsupials are regulars. Earlier in May, when a member of the public brought in a tiny wombat whose mother had been hit by a car, the Milligan family knew just how to nurse the little marsupial back to health.

Thanks to warm blankets and frequent bottle-feedings, the baby, named Elvis, is doing very well under their care. Elvis arrived weighing a tiny 220 grams but has grown to weigh 600 grams. A baby marsupial is entirely dependent on its mother. Born tiny, naked and undeveloped, the baby crawls into its mother's pouch where it nurses and continues to grow. Wombats stay inside their mother's pouch for five months, and become independent at about seven months.

Photo credits: Wild About Wildlife

Learn more after the fold.

Wombats are endemic to south-eastern Australia. They are nocturnal, feeding at night on grasses, roots and bark with rodent-like teeth that grow continually. Unlike rodents, wombats reproduce very slowly, raising one offpsring every two years. The IUCN lists the Common Wombat and Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat as species of least concern; however, Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats are a critically endangered species. Because of their slow reproductive cycle, Wombat populations can take time to recover after damaging disturbances such as a bushfires.

Wild About Wildlife was founded by Lisa Milligan and her spouse Duane. The family-run operation started up in 2009 after a series of bushfires that left many injured and orphaned wildlife in need of care. With the support of their two children and veterinarian Dr. Alistair Brown, the Milligans care for animals of all sizes and ages, from mammals to birds and reptiles.

The shelter is an out-of-pocket endevour run from the family's home. In order to sustain their work, they are selling their house and asking for donations to help purchase a mobile caravan. The caravan would serve as a temporary home-base for the baby animals who need around-the-clock care while the house is being sold. Donations can be made online from Wild About Wildlife's website.

Endangered Tiger Cub Trio Born at Busch Gardens Tampa

2013-05-24T08:43:54-05:00

Three endangered Malayan Tiger cubs were born at Busch Gardens Tampa on March 31. The litter consists of two males and one female, each weighing between six and seven pounds. They are currently being monitored around the clock by the park’s animal care team. These newborn cubs will add to the genetic diversity of the Malayan Tiger population and contribute to conservation efforts for the species. Malayan Tigers are Critically Endangered. Scientists estimate that only 500 remain in the wild.

Malayan Tiger cub births in managed care are rare – just one successful birth in 2012 as part of the SSP. These are the first born at Busch Gardens Tampa and the first offspring for both the mother Bzui and father Mata. The cubs, along with their parents, are currently behind the scenes and are being monitored around the clock by the park’s animal care team.

Photo Credit: Busch Gardens Tampa

The births are part of park’s partnership in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP). The mission of the SSP is to cooperatively manage specific, and typically threatened or endangered, species populations within AZA-accredited facilities. There are currently just over 50 Malayan Tigers in the Species Survival Plan.

Read much more about the cubs after the fold:

In approximately one month, the animal care team will start introducing the cubs to the Jungala habitat. The cubs will rotate separate sessions on the habitat with the Bengal Tiger groups that currently reside there. Until then the cubs will remain behind the scenes with their mother and keepers. Anyone interested in the cubs can follow their progress onBuschGardensTampaBlog.com.

One of the male cubs is suffering from anemia and has developed a rare but benign skin condition that also occurs in both wild and domestic felines. The condition is being monitored by Busch Gardens’ veterinarians. The cub is currently in serious condition and is undergoing treatments.

Found only in the southern tip of Thailand and the Malay Peninsula, it’s estimated that only 500 Malayan Tigers remain in the wild. Habitat fragmentation caused by logging and the development of roads and commercial poaching are the two leading causes. The species also often comes into conflict with people over livestock predation.

Endangered Tiger Cub Trio Born at Busch Gardens Tampa

2013-05-24T08:41:43-05:00

Three endangered Malayan tiger cubs were born at Busch Gardens Tampa on March 31. The litter consists of two males and one female, each weighing between six and seven pounds. They are currently being monitored around the clock by the park’s animal care team. These newborn cubs will add to the genetic diversity of the Malayan tiger population and contribute to conservation efforts for the species. Malayan tigers are Critically Endangered. Scientists estimate that only 500 remain in the wild.

Malayan tiger cub births in managed care are rare – just one successful birth in 2012 as part of the SSP. These are the first Malayan tigers born at Busch Gardens Tampa and the first offspring for both the mother Bzui and father Mata. The tiger cubs, along with Bzui and Mata, are currently behind the scenes and are being monitored around the clock by the park’s animal care team.

Photo Credit: Busch Gardens Tampa

Read much more about the cubs after the fold:

In approximately one month, the Busch Gardens animal care team will start introducing the cubs to the Jungala habitat. The cubs will rotate separate sessions on the habitat with the Bengal tiger groups that currently reside there. Until then the cubs will remain behind the scenes with their mother and keepers. Anyone interested in the cubs can follow their progress onBuschGardensTampaBlog.com.

One of the male cubs is suffering from anemia and has developed a rare but benign skin condition that also occurs in both wild and domestic felines. The condition is being monitored by Busch Gardens’ veterinarians. The cub is currently in serious condition and is undergoing treatments.

Found only in the southern tip of Thailand and the Malay Peninsula, it’s estimated that only 500 Malayan tigers remain in the wild. Habitat fragmentation caused by logging and the development of roads and commercial poaching are the two leading causes. The species also often comes into conflict with people over livestock predation.

White Rhino Calf is a Precious Surprise for Taronga Western Plains Zoo

2013-05-23T11:04:17-05:00

A year ago, staff at Taronga Western Plains Zoo grieved for the loss of four White Rhinos that had contracted an illness. But this year on May 14th, staff arrived to find a wonderful early morning surprise. Mopani, the only female White Rhino to survive the illness, had given birth to a little male. Only hours old, the calf was still a bit wobbly on his feet as the news spread around the zoo.

“Mopani is an amazing animal, having actually contracted the illness last year whilst carrying her calf. To come through that and give birth to this healthy calf is just remarkable,” said Senior White Rhino Keeper, Pascale Benoit. “Everyone is just over the moon with the arrival of the White Rhino calf."

Mopani, a gentle and caring first-time mother, is doing her job well. The calf will nurse from his mother for two years until he is weaned. While the male rhinos do not take part in raising the young, the father Umfana also deserves congratulations, as this is his third calf and second male.

Photo credits: Taronga Western Plains Zoo

See a video the little male calf and his mother:

See and learn more after the fold.

According to Benoit, the healthy calf is “quite easy-going and seems to like being the center of attention.” He is on exhibit with Mopani and another adult female, Likewizi, who recently joined the herd this year.

Every Rhino birth is important as poaching continues to increase in Africa. According to the International Rhino Foundation, of which Taronga is a founding member, African Rhinos are barely keeping pace with the unprecedented poaching crisis. Nearly 2000 Rhinos have been slaughtered across Africa since 2006, slowing population growth rates to some of the lowest levels in decades. While numbers of White Rhinos in the wild are remaining steady at present due to conservation action, it can all change very rapidly.

This is the ninth calf born to the White Rhino breeding program since 2003, when five White Rhinos arrived at Taronga from Kruger National Park to help create greater genetic diversity in the region’s population.

Benoit says, “This calf is not only an important birth for Taronga Western Plains Zoo, but for the species as a whole. Mopani had never bred before, so to produce an offspring has created a new genetic line and greater genetic diversity within the White Rhino population throughout Australasia.”

Endangered Mexican Gray Wolf Pup Pair Hand Reared at Mesker Park Zoo

2013-05-23T09:23:39-05:00

A litter of Mexican Gray Wolves, the most Endangered wolf species in the world, came to the Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden -- and not by conventional means. They arrived on a LightHawk* flight at Tri-State Aero, Inc. and were immediately given into the care of zoo staff. The pups are doing well.

Born on May 8 at the Wolf Conservation Center in New York, the pups were pulled within hours of their birth with the goal of being in the care of the Mesker Park Zoo within 24 hours. There they have experienced Wolf parents standing by. The plan is for the pups to be partially hand reared and then, within a few months, be fostered by the resident Wolf parents. This is considered their best chance for surviving and contributing to the genetics of this Endangered species.

Photo Credit: Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden

Although their genetically important birth mother was successful with one litter in her lifetime, her other litters have been totally lost or large portions of her litters lost within the first few weeks of life. The reasons behind these deaths are not known, so the arriving litter is considered fragile by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Mesker staff. The decision was made to pull any pups she produced this year and foster them via an experienced pair was reached in July by the USFWS and the Mexican Gray Wolf Species Survival Plan in consultation with Dr. Susan Lyndaker Lindsey, Animal Curator at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden and Behavioral and Husbandry Advisor to the USFWS Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program and the Species Survival Plan.

Pittsburgh Zoo's Amur Tiger Cub Gets His First Check-Up

2013-05-22T13:21:29-05:00

The Pittsburgh Zoo's Amur Tiger cub, born on Easter, recently recieved his first vet check-up. Weighing in at just over 9 pounds, the cub is still too small to venture outside his den. For now, the cub can be seen on a video monitor. The cub is doing very well and has recieved his first round of vaccinations.

Photo Credits: Paul Selvaggio

See the video of the cub's first vet check-up:

It's Two More Baby Clouded Leopards for Nashville Zoo

2013-05-22T07:51:33-05:00

Just six weeks after the birth of a trio of Clouded Leopard cubs reported HERE on ZooBorns, the Nashville Zoo proudly announced that another two cubs were born on April 30! The babies are doing well and are being hand raised by the Zoo’s animal care staff.

“Since 2009, 20 Leopards have been born at Nashville Zoo, and in the last year alone, Nashville Zoo welcomed the births of more Clouded Leopards than at all the world’s zoos combined,” said Rick Schwartz, Nashville Zoo President. “We are proud to be on the forefront of Clouded Leopard conservation.”

Due to deforestation, pet trade and poaching, Clouded Leopards are considered endangered in their native range of Southeast Asia and China, and recently listed as extinct in Taiwan. For the past 11 years, Nashville Zoo has been a member of the Thailand Clouded Leopard Consortium, a multi-faceted clouded leopard conservation program with the National Zoo, Point Defiance Zoo, Clouded Leopard Species Survival Program and Zoological Park Organization in Thailand.

Photo Credit: Amiee Stubbs

The breeding parents to these recent cubs are Lom Choy and Luk. Introducing Clouded Leopards to potential mates is difficult due to the cat’s reclusive disposition. Males are often aggressive and have been known to attack and kill potential female partners. To reduce fatal attacks, cubs are hand-raised and introduced to mates at a young age.

Nashville Zoo Welcomes Eurasian Lynx

2013-05-21T15:12:32-05:00

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of a Eurasian Lynx. The female cub was born to the Zoo’s on-exhibit pair on Saturday, May 4.

“We suspected that our Lynx might be pregnant due to a slight weight gain but never had confirmation,” said Connie Philipp, mammal curator. “The cub arrived on its estimated due date based on the data the keepers collected, and she’s now being hand-raised by our animal care staff. She will eventually join an educational outreach program at another zoo.”

Photo credits: Amiee Stubbs Photography

Nashville Zoo is home to three Eurasian Lynx, a male and female on exhibit, and a male, known as Blitz, that is a part of our “Wildlife on Wheels” program. The Eurasian Lynx exhibit was generously sponsored by David and Kathryn Brown.

Eurasian Lynx are the largest of the lynx species and are native to Central Asian, European and Siberian forests. While not listed as endangered, Eurasian Lynx are rarely seen in some parts of its home range.

Zoo Keepers Save Orphaned Baby Meerkat at Chessington World of Adventures Resort

2013-05-21T07:41:55-05:00

Meet baby Lila. Zoo Keepers at the UK's Chessington World of Adventures Resort have taken the tiny Meerkat under their wing, after she was rejected by her mother. Just 22 days old and weighing 119 grams, the equivalent weight of half a stick of butter, Lila is receiving round the clock attention.

Keeper Gemma Anscomb has taken on the challenge of being the main caregiver for Lila, with duties including milk-feeding every two hours and lots of cuddles. Anscomb said, “Little Lila was sadly abandoned by her mummy. This often happens in the wild. If the parents feel that the family group is getting too large, they will often seek out the weakest of the group and reject them from it. We closely monitored the group following Lila’s birth and when we saw something wasn’t quite right, we stepped in. I’m delighted to say she is doing really well.”

Photo Credit: Chessington World of Adventures Resort

“We’re all so pleased to see that little Lila is developing by the day and are looking forward to introducing her to her new family in the Wanyama Village very soon,” Anscomb added. She may be small but she’s a little fighter and has proven quite a character already! She loves nothing more than snuggling up to her Mumma Duck cuddly toy and getting lots of attention from her keepers.”

Lila has begun a program of meeting her fellow Meerkat playmates, where she’s learning behaviors from them and developing her natural instincts. She will also begin to try some solid food. Lila will make her public debut this Saturday, May 25.

Save Our Sloths!

2013-05-20T13:46:03-05:00

Years before Sloths inspired best selling books, TV specials and Kirsten Bell meltdowns, ZooBorns was delivering them to your eyeballs courtesy of The Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica. This unique facility has been rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned and injured sloths for over 20 years. Now they need our help.

With almost 150 Sloths in their care, The Sloth Sanctuary is reaching capacity and needs to release more rescued animals back into the wild. In order to ensure these animals are thriving, biologist Rebecca Cliffe is raising money for GPS tracking equipment that will allow staff to monitor the released animals. This will also provide critical data in support of the Sloth Backpack Project, which seeks to better understand sloth diet, habitat preferences and reproductive habits. Learn more about this effort and contribute to Save Our Sloths on Indiegogo.

How many baby Sloth can you count above? Photo credits: Becky Cliffe / The Sloth Sanctuary

Need that link again? Learn more about this effort and contribute to Save Our Sloths on Indiegogo.