ZooBorns

Amur Tiger Triplets!

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of three Amur Tiger cubs. Parents, Tatiana and Toma, welcomed the trio – two boys and a girl -- in the afternoon hours on May 7, the day before Mother’s Day. Mother Tatiana, 11, and father Toma, 10, were introduced to each other this past December. It is the second litter of cubs for Tatiana. Her first, consisting of Korol, Kunali and Naka, was born on June 7, 2004. Brothers, Korol and Kunali, now reside at The Alaska Zoo in Anchorage, while Naka lives at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, where she has been recommended for breeding.

Photo credits: Courtesty of Amelia Beamish, AB Photography

Baby Sloth Slinks into Rosamond Gifford Zoo

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of its 44th Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloth. Ocabo (Oh-cob-oh) was born on February 9; he is the son of Bite Lip and Beauregard. The name, Ocabo, comes from a Latin American word meaning “head,” and was chosen because of the young Sloth’s exceptionally large skull. After some initial supplementation from zoo staff, Ocabo is thriving and can be seen on exhibit with the other Sloths.

Photo credits: Rosamond Gifford Zoo

Meet Ruth the Tiny Baby Sloth

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo has an exceptionally sleepy and exceptionally adorable new addition - a 6-week-old baby Hoffman's Two-toed Sloth. Born underweight, Ruth as she has been named has bounced back thanks to keepers supplanting her nursing with nutritional formula. Now Ruth is happy, healthy and as active as Two-toed Sloth ought to be, which is to say, pretty laid back. Sloths are not on the endangered species list. However, their habitat is quickly being destroyed, leaving them homeless and vulnerable to a decrease in their population size. They are part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP) - a collaborative effort between the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and zoos around the world to help ensure their survival. 

Photo credits: Amelia Beamish, Rosamond Gifford Zoo

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Big Name, Little Bird

This White-crested Laughingthrush chick was born earlier this month at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, NY. Native to Southeast Asia, they are notable for their fluffy plumage, which little "Zephyr" here is already starting to exhibit.