Zoo Miami’s black bears receive wellness exams
“Laurel” and “Libby” are 12-year-old American black bear sisters that arrived at Zoo Miami in 2013 and reside in the Florida: Mission Everglades exhibit. Recently they were anesthetized and brought to the zoo’s animal hospital so that they could receive their wellness exams. All the procedures were directed by Zoo Miami associate veterinarians, Dr. Rodney Schnellbacher and Dr. Marisa Bezjian, with assistance from the Animal Health and Animal Science teams. American black bears are the most common bear found in North America. Though they can weigh between 200 and 500 pounds, Florida black bears tend to be on the lighter side.
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami sea turtle transferred to Loggerhead Marinelife Center
“Baymax,” a massive female loggerhead sea turtle that had been recovering at Zoo Miami’s Sea Turtle Hospital, was transferred to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach on Monday, Sept. 26, to complete her rehabilitation. The endangered sea turtle originally was transported by the Loggerhead Marinelife Center ambulance to Zoo Miami on May 22 after being recovered by FWC from the Inwater Research Group’s Port St. Lucie site. Also, due to her extraordinary size, the recovery tanks at the Zoo Miami Sea Turtle Hospital were not allowing her to move as freely as the Animal Health team felt was best for her physical therapy. Upon arrival, Dr. Bezjian, along with Zoo Miami Hospital manager Rosemay Lucas, were met by Loggerhead Marinelife Center veterinarian Dr. Heather Barron, president and CEO Andy Dehart and their support team to unload Baymax and perform a preliminary exam. Baymax is scheduled for additional surgery this week at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in an effort to assess and treat the apparent infection deep within the original wound site.
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami announces birth of its 57th giraffe
At approximately 6:30 p.m., Aug. 23, Sabra, a nearly 12-year-old giraffe, gave birth to a female calf. The following morning, Zoo Miami staff members were able to quickly separate mother and calf so that a neonatal exam could be performed. She arrived at Zoo Miami in 2013 from the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, IA. Giraffe have a pregnancy of approximately 15 months and the mother rarely, if ever, lies down while giving birth. To see more #Miaminews from #Aventura to #Coralgables to #South Miami, #Pinecrest, #Palmetto Bay and #Cutler Bay and all throughout #Miamidadecounty go to:www.communitynewspapers.com
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami euthanizes green sea turtle paralyzed in boat strike
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officers found the 80 pound female sea turtle floating in a Coral Gables waterway May 28 and transferred her to the zoo for treatment. The turtle had severe lacerations to the top of her shell and appeared to be partially paralyzed.
Sea turtle treated for shark bite at new Zoo Miami facility
While Zoo Miami prepares for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Sea Turtle Hospital scheduled for July 6, a huge female loggerhead sea turtle that was likely injured by a shark, has necessitated emergency care to help save the life of this threatened species. Because Zoo Miami’s newly constructed Sea Turtle Hospital had recently passed inspection and received its permits to accept sick and injured sea turtles, it was decided to transfer the injured animal to the zoo for treatment and rehabilitation. It is not uncommon for sea turtles to lose a limb to sharks or boat strikes. The entire procedure took several hours and was led by Zoo Miami Associate Veterinarian, Dr. Marisa Bezjian and assisted by Zoo Miami Chief Veterinarian, Dr. Gwen Myers. The exposed bone was removed successfully and the surrounding wound cleaned and treated.
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami welcomes boyfriend for ‘Bella’
On June 30 of 2018, “Bella,” then a 5-year-old Bornean Orangutan, made her public debut at Zoo Miami with her mother, “Kumang,” after arriving from the Seneca Park Zoo in New York. This population is managed by a Species Survival Plan (SSP) cooperatively through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). As it turns out, the Orangutan SSP has recommended that Bella, now 9, be paired with a 7-year-old male named “Jiwa,” who is from the Phoenix Zoo in Arizona. Recently, after a great deal of careful planning, Jiwa was placed on a special FedEx flight accompanied by a staff member from the Phoenix Zoo and Zoo Miami that arrived at MIA. The hope is that once Bella sees Jiwa, she will “swipe ight!”
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami’s monorail system permanently decommissioned
After nearly four decades of carrying well over a million riders, Zoo Miami’s “Zoofari” monorail system has been permanently decommissioned. Opened in 1982, the system originally consisted of three trains that provided elevated transportation around the zoo on 2.2 miles of steel track. However, over time, it became cost-prohibitive to maintain the trains in safe running condition and the difficult decision was made to permanently decommission the system. However, it will be considerably less expensive than trying to keep the outdated system running with no source of replacements parts. Although the monorail no longer is operational, Zoo Miami has other sources of transportation available within the park including regular tram tours as well as safari cycle rentals.
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami’s monorail system permanently decommissioned
After nearly four decades of carrying well over a million riders, Zoo Miami’s “Zoofari” monorail system has been permanently decommissioned. Opened in 1982, the system originally consisted of three trains that provided elevated transportation around the zoo on 2.2 miles of steel track. However, over time, it became cost-prohibitive to maintain the trains in safe running condition and the difficult decision was made to permanently decommission the system. However, it will be considerably less expensive than trying to keep the outdated system running with no source of replacements parts. Although the monorail no longer is operational, Zoo Miami has other sources of transportation available within the park including regular tram tours as well as safari cycle rentals.
communitynewspapers.comPair of Zoo Miami hyenas undergo thorough examsa
The genitalia and reproductive tracts of hyenas are quite unique and different from other carnivores. The team was pleased to see that there were no apparent issues that would preclude this pair of from reproducing in the future. Finally, both hyenas had their gastrointestinal tracts scoped to see if they had any foreign materials in their stomachs. Some foreign items, including rubber mulch, were indeed seen in the stomach of the female, Maxi. Unfortunately, these foreign items are things that zoo patrons either purposely throw or accidentally drop onto the animal’s habitat without realizing that doing so can have critical, even fatal consequences.
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami’s sloth bear celebrates her birthday
“Keesha,” a female sloth bear that resides at Zoo Miami, recently celebrated her 26th birthday with special treats prepared by her keepers. These treats are part of a carefully managed enrichment program designed to mentally and physically stimulate the animals under human care at the zoo. Keesha was born at the Smokey Mountain Zoological Park in Tennessee and arrived at Zoo Miami via the Akron Zoo in Ohio in December 2016. At 26 years old, she is believed to be the oldest sloth bear in any zoo in North America. Sloth bears are considered a vulnerable species that is threatened by poaching and habitat destruction.
communitynewspapers.comFirst of three eggs from bald eagle pair hatches
The platform was constructed to provide a more stable foundation after the pair had their original nest at that location destroyed during a storm. In addition to the platform, the team also installed state-of-the-art high definition cameras that would allow the activity at the nest platform to be viewed online 24 hours a day. On Nov. 24, the day before Thanksgiving, Rita laid her first egg. And then, though bald eagles usually only produce two eggs a year, Rita surprised the experts when on Dec. 1, she laid a third egg. In fact, should all three eggs hatch, the odds are highly against all three chicks surviving.
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami flamingos receive their annual wellness exams
Zoo Miami’s flock of 40 Caribbean flamingos (18 males and 22 females) were rounded up recently on their habitat so that they could each receive their annual wellness exams. Some of the younger individuals that were receiving their first annual exam also were implanted with transponders for identification. These exams are part of an important preventative medicine program designed to identify any potential health issues within the zoo’s population. Because they are wild animals, they oftentimes will disguise any symptoms of disease or illness until the progression is advanced. By being able to identify any potential issues during early stages through preventative exams, lives can, and have been saved.
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami Breaks All-Time Attendance Record by Welcoming More than 1 Million Guests in 2021
Zoo Miami breaks all-time attendance record by welcoming more than 1 million guests in fiscal year 2021. Following closures and setbacks from the global pandemic and years of coming close to the milestone, Zoo Miami makes history with more than 1 million visitors. We thank you for enjoying the fresh air, flora and fauna at Zoo Miami. The benefits of nature are immeasurable for good heath of the mind and body,” said Will Elgar, Zoo Miami Director. Zoo Miami will continue to have a lot to celebrate in 2022.
communitynewspapers.comEagle Cam provides intimate look into lives of bald eagles
Zoo Miami’s Ron Magill joined Wildlife Rescue of Dade County’s Lloyd Brown and Jemma Peterson on Mar. 13, to rescue a bald eagle chick that had fallen out of a nest which had been destroyed by a storm. Fortunately, the pair did return, and for several days, looked at the installed platform from adjacent branches but would not fly to it. The ultimate hope and goal is for this pair to lay eggs, and then to successfully hatch and fledge chicks. The Ron Magill Conservation Endowment, through the Zoo Miami Foundation, is sponsoring the live streaming of this entire process to provide an intimate window into the very private world of these majestic raptors.
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami Mourns Loss of Orangutan
AdvertisementIt is with profound sadness that Zoo Miami announces that “Kumang,” a 44 year-old Bornean Orangutan, died yesterday during recovery from anesthesia following a dental procedure. During the entire time she was under anesthesia, Kumang was closely monitored by the team of Zoo Miami veterinarians and veterinary technicians, as well as a human cardiologist. The Animal Health team performed several emergency procedures, including CPR, in efforts to resuscitate Kumang, but sadly, they were not successful. We at Zoo Miami are heartbroken over this terrible loss and our deepest condolences go out to the staff that provided Kumang with such great care over the years. She leaves behind an 8 year-old daughter named Bella, who continues to reside at Zoo Miami.
communitynewspapers.comEndangered gazelle makes exhibit debut at Zoo Miami
AdvertisementZoo Miami’s newest baby Slender-Horned Gazelle recently was introduced to the exhibit with its parents. Mom’s name is “Gladys” and dad’s name is “Pip,” in honor of legendary performers, Gladys Knight and the Pips! With less than 2,500 believed to exist in the wild, the endangered Slender-Horned Gazelle is found in isolated pockets of the Sahara in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Algeria. Both males and females have slender horns with the male’s growing longer to a length of approximately 15 inches. They are relatively small gazelles with an adult shoulder height of approximately 28 inches.
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami mourns the loss of koala, ‘Hope’
AdvertisementZoo Miami recently announced that “Hope,” the koala, was found dead by zoo staff. These issues are not uncommon in koalas and Hope did show some positive improvement with the treatments he was given. When Hope was born on May 30, 2019, he was only the third koala born in the zoo’s history and the first to be born at the zoo in over 28 years. Zoo Miami sent thousands of dollars in Hope’s name to Australia to support the wildlife rescue efforts taking place in the midst of those fires. Hope’s 5-year-old mother, “Rinny,” and 10-year-old father, “Milo,” continue to live at Zoo Miami and appear to be doing well.
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami mourns the loss of koala, ‘Hope’
AdvertisementZoo Miami recently announced that “Hope,” the koala, was found dead by zoo staff. These issues are not uncommon in koalas and Hope did show some positive improvement with the treatments he was given. When Hope was born on May 30, 2019, he was only the third koala born in the zoo’s history and the first to be born at the zoo in over 28 years. Zoo Miami sent thousands of dollars in Hope’s name to Australia to support the wildlife rescue efforts taking place in the midst of those fires. Hope’s 5-year-old mother, “Rinny,” and 10-year-old father, “Milo,” continue to live at Zoo Miami and appear to be doing well.
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami’s Conservation Action Center Named as 2021 Annual Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA) Award Winner for Innovative Programming: Environmental Resiliency and Sustainability
Advertisement1 of 2The Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA) has selected Zoo Miami’s Conservation Action Center as the 2021 recipient of the Innovative Programming: Environmental Resiliency and Sustainability award. This award is given in honor of the outstanding work done by Zoo Miami to advance the park and recreation profession in Innovative Programming for environmental resiliency and sustainability. “Zoo Miami, the leading conservation and education wildlife advocate of Miami-Dade County parks, is honored to be awarded with the Florida Recreation and Park Association Award for the Conservation Action Center! The Conservation Action Center tells powerful and personal stories of animals and people alike. The Florida Recreation and Park Association annually awards park and recreation agencies, employees, volunteers and partners that have made an impact on their community.
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami receives $500k for Animal Hospital
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission will assign the state funds to Zoo Miami. Zoo Miami’s current animal hospital opened in 1986 with one veterinarian, one technician and served less than 1,000 animals. With minimal updates over the past 30 years, general wear and tear and with the growth of number ofanimals and species, we must build a new veterinary hospital at Zoo Miami. “We are grateful to Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez, Representative Anthony Rodriguez, Senator Annette Taddeo and the rest of the Dade Delegation for their support in this animal hospital appropriation,” said Eric Eikenberg, Chair of the Board for Zoo Miami Foundation. For further information and to offer your support, contact Ron Stayton, Chief Development Officer, Zoo Miami Foundation, at (305) 255-5551 or rstayton@zoomiami.org
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami mourns recent passing of meerkat ‘Gizmo’
AdvertisementDuring initial rounds on a recent Sunday morning, zookeepers were unable to find “Gizmo,” a nearly 8-year-old meerkat. Sadly, after a meticulous search of the habitat, both above and below ground, his lifeless body was located in what appeared to be a collapsed tunnel. Though zoo staff is still waiting for the final results of a necropsy, it appears as if Gizmo may have been in the tunnel when it collapsed, trapping him inside. Gizmo was born at the Brevard Zoo in October 2013 and arrived at Zoo Miami in June 2018. The meerkats have been a fan favorite of Zoo Miami since their arrival in June 2000.
communitynewspapers.comFPL’s Solar Panels
In 2019, I joined a varied and powerful group of business owners as Mayor Gimenez spoke at FPL’s Miami-Dade Solar Energy Center with FPL CEO Eric Silagy. The same year, FPL announced a plan to install 30 million solar panels by the year 2030. It is only 2021 and the company says it is already 40 percent of the way to reaching its goal, with over 40 solar energy centers in operation and 12 million solar panels installed. What’s even more encouraging is that FPL is looking beyond solar and into the future with battery storage. As a whole, Florida owes much of its credibility as a solar innovator to FPL’s rapid solar expansion and it will be exciting to see what new clean energy initiatives the company will be revealing next.
communitynewspapers.comFPL’s solar panel innovation puts Florida on clean energy map
Because of FPL, Florida is becoming a world leader in clean energy and everyone flying in or out of the Miami International Airport (MIA) can see it. In 2019, I joined a varied and powerful group of business owners as Mayor Gimenez spoke at FPL’s Miami-Dade Solar Energy Center with FPL CEO Eric Silagy. The same year, FPL announced a plan to install 30 million solar panels by the year 2030. It is only 2021 and the company says it is already 40 percent of the way to reaching its goal, with over 40 solar energy centers in operation and 12 million solar panels installed. What’s even more encouraging is that FPL is looking beyond solar and into the future with battery storage.
communitynewspapers.comCorpse Plant Ready to Bloom!
A three-foot Amorphophallus titanum (Titan Arum), also known as the “corpse flower” and affectionately known to us as “Mr. Stinky, Jr.” is one of the most spectacular blooms in the world, and it’s getting ready to bloom in the Whitman Pavilion this week! The blooming of a Titan Arum is a unique experience, because of the rarity and the, well, stench. Stinky, Jr., isn’t expected to reach that height and diameter just yet, since this is its first bloom, but it is a spectacular, must-see experience nonetheless. Keep an eye on our social channels for real-time updates as our Stinky, Jr., blooms!
communitynewspapers.comThree little pigs hogging attention at Zoo Miami
Advertisement“Binti,” Zoo Miami’s 12-year-old Red River Hog, gave birth to three piglets on Monday, May 17. Born at the Los Angeles Zoo, she is an experienced mom that has successfully raised several litters prior to arriving at Zoo Miami in 2017. He has also sired serval offspring prior to arriving at Zoo Miami in 2019. Red River Hogs are considered a species of least concern and are found in patchy forested areas of western, central, and eastern Africa. Red River Hogs are opportunistic omnivores feeding on a wide variety of fruits, roots, invertebrates, eggs, nuts, grasses, reptiles and even carrion.
communitynewspapers.comEndangered Orinoco crocodiles hatch at Zoo Miami in time for Mother’s Day
Just in time for Mother’s Day (May 9) a critically endangered Orinoco crocodile became Zoo Miami’s newest mother. Orinoco crocodiles are one of the world’s most critically endangered crocodilians due to extensive hunting for their skin and meat. Very similar in appearance to the American crocodile, the Orinoco crocodile gets slightly larger with historical records of huge males approaching 20 feet in length. The mother actually hatched at Zoo Miami back in 1980 and then went to several institutions until returning to Zoo Miami in 2019 from the Everglades Alligator Farm. The father was hatched at the Dallas World Aquarium in March 2004 and arrived at Zoo Miami in November 2006.
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami celebrates Florida’s American flamingo conservation on International Flamingo Day
Monday, April 26, is International Flamingo Day, and if there’s anything more quintessentially South Florida (besides coconut trees and sunshine) it’s the American Flamingo. However, what most people don’t know is that the American flamingo hasn’t always been classified as a native species of Florida.
As one baby giraffe makes zoo debut, another is born
Zoo Miami’s 54th baby giraffe recently made his exhibit debut. He weighed a whopping 181 pounds and is the seventh baby born to Mia, his 14-year-old mother. This is the 54th giraffe born in the zoo’s history. As this newborn was making his exhibit debut, Zuri, a 6 1/2-year-old female was giving birth behind the scenes to the 55th giraffe born in the zoo’s history. Malcolm also is the father, making this his second calf.
communitynewspapers.comNew Spider Species found at Zoo Miami
The Pine Rockland Trapdoor Spider was found in the critically endangered Pine Rockland forest surrounding Zoo MiamiZoo Miami staff helped discover a brand new species of large spider in the critically endangered pine rockland forest surrounding Zoo Miami. The Pine Rockland Trapdoor Spider (Ummidia richmond) was first found by a zookeeper who was checking reptile research traps in 2012. Venoms of related species have been found to contain compounds with potential use as pain medications and cancer treatments,” said Frank Ridgley, DVM, Zoo Miami Conservation & Veterinary Services Manager. They are known to be some of the longest lived spider species known. At this time, it has not been documented for 35 years anywhere else except the pine rockland fragments around Zoo Miami.
communitynewspapers.comEl Car Wash marks grand opening with gift to Zoo Miami Foundation
El Car Wash recently celebrated its grand opening of the largest car wash in the state, at 12970 SW 152 St., Miami, FL 33177, just west of Zoo Miami. In honor of the occasion, El Car Wash donated $15,000 to Zoo Miami Foundation in support of the flamingos. Pictured (l-r) are Jorge Abreu, Director of Agriculture for District 9 at Miami-Dade County; Mark Trowbridge, president and CEO at Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce; Mia DeVane, Office of Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava; Geoff Karas, president, El Car Wash; Will Elgar, director of Zoo Miami; Bill Moore, president and CEO at Zoo Miami Foundation; Michelle Fletcher, district coordinator for District 9 at Miami-Dade County; Jereme Tarr, vice president for Operations, El Car Wash; Justin Landau, CEO at El Car Wash; Nicole and Lucas Landau; Joe Paris, JP Builders, and Jose Plasencia, district manager, El Car Wash.(Photo courtesy Zoo Miami)Connect To Your Customers & Grow Your Business Click Here
communitynewspapers.comEndangered black rhinoceros born Feb. 24 at Zoo Miami
After a pregnancy of approximately 15 months, “Circe,” a 21-year-old endangered black rhinoceros, gave birth to a male calf in the barn adjacent to the black rhino habitat on Feb. 24. Circe was born at the Riverbanks Zoo in South Carolina and came to Zoo Miami via a breeding loan with the Los Angeles Zoo. He was born at the Cincinnati Zoo and arrived at Zoo Miami in 2006 via Busch Gardens in Tampa. Zoo Miami has had an impressive 13 successful black rhino births under human care making it one of the nation’s most successful zoos in maintaining and reproducing this highly endangered species. It is actually nothing more than a keratin based material similar to finger nails and hair, and has never been proven to have any medicinal qualities at all.
communitynewspapers.comCritically endangered Somali Wild Ass born at Zoo Miami
Zoo Miami is celebrating the recent birth of a critically endangered Somali Wild Ass. The foal, the ninth born at Zoo Miami, and its mother, a mare named “Lisha,” now are on exhibit and the baby seems to be adapting well. At nearly 23 years old, Lisha is the oldest Somali Wild Ass to ever give birth in North America. Somali Wild Asses are among the world’s most critically endangered equids with less than 1,000 believed to still exist in the wild. They are the smallest of the wild equids and are found in the rocky deserts in very isolated areas of Eastern Africa.
communitynewspapers.comZoo Miami lioness euthanized after suffering spinal cord injury
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Zoo Miami’s 11-year-old lioness, Kashifa, was euthanized Monday, weeks after the zoo’s Animal Health and Animal Science teams discovered that she had lost mobility in her hind legs. The lioness was immobilized and underwent an MRI so that her spine and nerve function could be evaluated. Veterinarians determined that Kashifa sustained a “non-compressive injury to her spinal cord,” the news release stated. The lioness underwent nearly three weeks of intensive care, but did not show any signs of improvement. Kashifa was born at the Bronx Zoo in 2010 and gave birth to a litter of four cubs in 2014 at Zoo Miami.