Details Written by San Diego Zoo Global
Denver, Colorado - Black-footed ferret recovery efforts aimed at increased genetic diversity and disease resistance took a bold step forward Dec. 10, 2020, with the birth of “Elizabeth Ann,” created from the frozen cells of “Willa,” a black-footed ferret that lived more than 30 years ago. The groundbreaking effort to explore solutions to help recover this endangered species results from an innovative partnership among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and species recovery partners and scientists at Revive & Restore, ViaGen Pets & Equine, San Diego Zoo Global and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
“The Service sought the expertise of valued recovery partners to help us explore how we might overcome genetic limitations hampering recovery of the black-footed ferret, and we’re proud to make this announcement today,” said Noreen Walsh, director of the Service’s Mountain-Prairie Region, where the Service
OffBeat Magazine
Audubon’s Penguin Pass Revamped for Covid
Audubon Aquarium’s Backstage Penguin Pass experience has been revamped to meet COVID safety guidelines, including social distancing, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
“Give the penguin lover in your life the gift that gives back this Valentine’s Day,” said Vice President and Managing Director of Audubon Aquarium of the Americas Rich Toth. “Our endangered African penguins at the Aquarium serve as ambassadors, teaching guests about the plight of this species in the wild due to human-wildlife conflict. We encourage participants to take action and keep the sea plastic-free by refusing, reducing, reusing, and recycling plastics.”
FROM ZOO TO YOU
Lion populations on decline in wild
You can visit five amazing lions can be visited at the Lee Richardson Zoo! Two brothers, Asani and Bantu as well as eldest male Razi, eldest female Amali, and their daughter, Lulu. While many people can visit the lions here at the zoo, lion populations in the wild are declining. Native to Africa, lions have vanished from 92% of their historic range. From 1995-2020 lion populations have been cut in half. When it comes to large cats, African lions are second only to tigers in size. How can the “King of the Beasts”, weighing over 400 pounds and measuring over 8 feet in length, possibly be in trouble?
As scientists warn that some South American flamingos could be threatened with extinction, the Reid Park Zoo is taking steps to help the aquatic birds. Along with fostering 26 flamingos in its own lagoon, the zoo recently partnered with the Zoo Conservation Outreach Group and Association of Zoos & Aquariums to lead the Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program for South American flamingos. SAFE flamingo efforts are focused on the three species living in the Andean highlands: the Andean flamingo, Chilean flamingo and James s flamingo. Reid Park Zoo submitted a three-year plan in 2020 involving steps for uniting research and education to ensure the bird s survival.
National Aviary celebrates new year with hatching of adorable, fluffy endangered species
Updated Jan 08, 2021;
Posted Jan 08, 2021
An African penguin chick was born at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Jan. 3, 2021. African penguins are an endangered species. This is the 11th chick born at the aviary and the first for 2021 and new parents Holly and Buddy.
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The National Aviary in Pittsburgh’s first chick of the new year is an African penguin born on Jan. 3 to first-time parents, Buddy and Holly.
The aviary said this is the 11th African penguin to be born there “and every hatching represents hope for the future.”