New Generation Of Narrow-Headed Turtles Breathes Fresh Life Into Conservation Program To Save This Rare Species

SAN DIEGO (Oct. 3, 2022) – For more than two decades, conservationists from San Diego Wildlife Alliance have been waiting with anticipation as they watched for the slightest signs of breeding from a rare reptile species. This summer, their patience paid off after wildlife care team members at the San Diego Zoo welcomed 41 tiny Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle hatchlings—becoming the first accredited conservation organization in North America to hatch these endangered turtles, and furthering the organization’s ongoing work to save this vital Asian species.

Taronga Zoo Sydney is delighted to announce the recent emergence of an adorable female koala joey, just in time for the spring school holidays. Born to experienced mum Willow, the joey is just under eight months old and is the first joey to emerge from its mother’s pouch this spring as part of Taronga’s Koala breeding program.

While the joey is growing well and hitting developmental milestones such as eating eucalyptus leaves and transitioning to riding on her mum’s back she is still yet to be named!

Osceola turkey chicks were hatched to mom Giblet on September 9 and 10 at Brevard Zoo. These chicks are the first of their species to hatch at the Zoo.

The Zoo’s small flock of turkeys has lived at the Zoo since September 2020, and although the females had laid eggs in the past, they had not produced any chicks until recently. The chicks’ sire, Green Bean Casserole, lives with Giblet and other female turkeys Gravy and Cranberry.

Capybara triplets were born on September 2nd at the U.K.’s Shepreth Wildlife Park. They’re the third litter born to mum Jinx (8) and dad Paz (3).

Two months after the miracle birth of ‘Little Red’ the Endangered red panda at Paradise Wildlife Park that stole the hearts of the world, it was time for the first health check with the vet.

In August, Paradise Wildlife Park announced the miracle birth of ‘Little Red’ after the tragic passing of their dad Nam Pang back in June. The story took the world by storm and Tilly the mum and ‘Little Red’ have become loved across the world for their heartfelt story.

Rose and Sage have arrived! 😻 We are thrilled to share that Rose and Sage, the rescued mountain lions from the Oakland Zoo, have arrived safely and are settling in at their new home at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. Both cats were calm throughout the first evening and are already acclimating to their new surroundings. "Through our camera monitoring, we observed expected behaviors including drinking, grooming, exploring, and sleeping,” noted Heather Down, Animal Care Curator of The Living Desert. “Rose and Sage will remain behind-the-scenes for about a week, as they get accustomed to their new environment and the animal care team builds a relationship with them.” Once they are comfortable, the dynamic duo will be introduced into the mountain lion habitat in Eagle Canyon. “We are so excited to welcome Rose and Sage to The Living Desert,” said RoxAnna Breitigan, Director of Animal Care. “These cats have such an amazing story, and we are honored to be part of their next chapter. We are so proud of our colleagues at the Oakland Zoo for the exemplary care and dedication to the wellbeing of these amazing animals.” Welcome to your fur-ever home, Rose and Sage!

A rare trio of fossa triplets have emerged from their den after being born at Chester Zoo.

The 12-week-old pups, who have arrived to parents Shala and Isalo are only now beginning to venture outside after remaining tucked away for their first few weeks of life.

The trio are a “huge cause for celebration” as they are the first of their kind to ever be born at the zoo in its 91-year history.

A basic translation of the original press release follows:

“It is the second offspring of this species, the result of the efforts of the Valencian park in the international program for its conservation. The skin of a single Kirk dik-dik is needed to make a single glove, which is why it is hunted and placed on the Red List of Endangered Species.

Valencia, September 30, 2022.- The wonderful biodiversity of our planet never ceases to amaze us, on this occasion, with species that seem to come out of a fairy tale, such as the dik-dik. BIOPARC's objective is to ensure the preservation of nature and to this end it participates in nearly 50 international programs for the reproduction of endangered species. As a result of one of these conservation actions, the second calf of Kirk's Dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii) was born in the Valencian park. The newborn remains these days in the interior enclosure under the care of his devoted parents and the supervision of the BIOPARC technical team, to guarantee his maximum well-being.

Kibo, a critically endangered infant western-lowland gorilla at Zoo Madrid, turned 8 months old yesterday!

With four teeth on top and four on the bottom, baby Kibo now delights in eating solid fruits and veggies. His favorite is kiwi. Kibo is not yet not fully weaned from his mother Kukeña's breast milk.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, WA is now home to a new rescued Arctic fox named Sven. Guests can meet the three-year-old fox in the newly renovated fox habitat in the zoo’s Arctic Tundra area.

“We are delighted to provide a home to Sven and know our guests will fall in love with him,” said Malia Somerville, the zoo’s curator of marine mammals and birds.

State wildlife officials seized Sven in Oklahoma, where owning an Arctic fox is illegal. Before coming to Point Defiance Zoo, he was cared for at a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility.