ZooBorns

Endangered Harpy Eagle Mom Shares a Sneak Peek of Her Hatchling

It is with great pride that Zoo Miami officially announces the hatching of an endangered Harpy Eagle! Here are several images that Ron Magill was extremely fortunate to capture friday morning (after patiently waiting over 3 ½ hours for the mother to allow him a view!) of the chick being fed by its mother. In addition, we’ve included two images that Ron was able to take of the chick when it was only 9 days old so you can see how much it has grown in 3 weeks.

Photo credits: Ron Magill / Zoo Miami

Baby Warthog Wonderfulness at Zoo Miami

ZOO Miami is celebrating the arrival of a new litter of African Warthogs. The four female piglets, born on April 13, have spent the last several weeks behind the scenes with their protective mother to ensure that they are healthy and developing well. The Zoo aims to have them on exhibit with their parents for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

Warthogs are a type of African wild pig that is distinguished by large upward curving tusks and what appear to be large “warts” growing out of the sides of their heads. These warts are actually cartilaginous tissue that is more pronounced in the males. They are common throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa, can grow to be close to 250 pounds and live up to 15 years. 

Photo Credit: Ron Magill

Want more warthog babies? The pictures continue after the jump:

Rhino Baby Is a First For Zoo Miami!

Early yesterday morning, after a nearly 16 month pregnancy, “Kalu,” an 11 year old Indian one horned Rhinoceros, gave birth at Zoo Miami.  This is the first ever successful birth of this highly endangered species for Zoo Miami and in fact, in the history of all South Florida zoos.

Kalu was born at the Bronx Zoo on December 22, 2000 and arrived at Zoo Miami as part of a breeding loan on June 10, 2004.  The father’s name is “Suru” and he was born at the San Diego Wild Animal Park on December 31, 2000.  He arrived at Zoo Miami on October 19, 2003 as part of a breeding loan with the San Francisco Zoo.  This is the first offspring for both individuals.

Photo Credits: Ron Magill

There are less than 3,000 Indian Rhinos left in the wild occurring in small protected areas of Nepal, India, and Assam.  Over the years, they have been poached extensively for their horn which is used for medicinal purposes and for dagger handles that are revered in some Asian cultures.  They are the world’s fourth largest land mammal sometimes reaching a weight of 6,000 pounds.

More photos below the fold...

Miami's Newest Giant Otter Babies!

Miami Metroparks Zoo welcomes its second litter of Giant River Otter pups this year! The two pups, born November 3rd, are almost a foot long and weigh about a pound each. When fully grown, Giant Otters can reach up to six feet in length and weigh close to 75 pounds! These endangered carniverous mammals are native to South America and live in remote areas of the tropics by lakes and fresh water rivers.

More otterageous photos below the fold...