Franklin Park Zoo

12/17/2024

Oh, hello, Amari and Chad. 🦒🦒

You never know what you'll see at the zoo. Like, when it's warm in December, the giraffes can come out and play! Giraffes can be seen in their outdoor habitat if it's at least 50 degrees and sunny.

12/16/2024

Mondays, amirite? — (maybe) Madikwe

Painted dogs, like sisters Madikwe and Moremi, have a unique dental characteristic that distinguishes them from other canids: all of their teeth are sharp and designed for shearing, as opposed to some being sharp and flattened like those of other canids. This allows dogs to quickly shred a carcass.

📸 Volunteer Matthew Colombo

12/15/2024

Another turtle species in our conservation spotlight… the spotted turtle.

Spotted turtles are small, aquatic turtles with yellow spots on their shell and head. Each turtle has a unique pattern of spots, much like a zebra's stripes, that can be used to identify individuals. Our field biologists have been tracking this locally rare species in Boston and Lowell, and we have been headstarting a few babies to give them a better chance of survival in the wild. That’s because spotted turtle populations are dwindling across their range, from habitat loss, fragmentation, and roads — AND wildlife trafficking!

Because these turtles are small, they are popular in the pet trade and poachers are contributing to their decline. Zoo New England is part of the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance and TurtleSAFE, working to bring awareness about the harms of wildlife trafficking.

As you're thinking about your holiday shopping, we discourage buying turtles as pets because they are so long-lived. If you do get a turtle pet, make sure you’re not getting a wild-poached turtle! Your best bet is to work with a turtle rescue organization like the Turtle Rescue League to foster or adopt.

Here's more about the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance and what you can do to help wildlife→ https://zoonewengland.org/protect/around-the-globe/wildlife-trafficking-alliance-be-informed-buy-informed/

12/14/2024

Kitombe’s passing was heartbreaking, but our spirits have been buoyed by all your messages of support. Thank you to everyone who commented with kinds words and sympathies, it means a lot. Many of you also asked how the gorillas are doing following Kit’s passing. The short answer is that they’re adjusting to life without him.

The troop was given the opportunity to say goodbye to Kit when he passed. In the days that followed, they exhibited signs of mourning, such as looking and calling for him when they came inside to their behind-the-scenes sleeping spaces. Now the troop is settling into their new normal, and the Animal Care team has been giving them lots of space and time develop new routines with Joe as their sole silverback.

Rest assured that their new normal still includes lots of playtime, resting, wrestling and foraging. You can see Pablo, Aziza, Kambiri, Kiki and Little Joe inside the Tropical Forest — a toasty destination during these cooler winter months.

12/13/2024

Everyone loves our Poitou donkey foal... but this is an appreciation post for Betty, his steadfast and patient companion.

Betty is a beautiful bay Morgan mare, much beloved by her animal care team. In honor of National Day of the Horse, they pulled together a few stories and tidbits about Obi's "auntie."

• Every time Obernai did not want to come over for feeding time, Betty would lead him all the way over into the stall without being asked. She is very intelligent and sweet! — Keeper Kendra
• She loves peanut butter, standing out in the pouring rain, grass/bamboo, and attention (on her terms). — Keeper Hannah
• She’s sweet and affectionate and loves attention — Keeper Nora
• She’s on an exercise program and gets lunged 3x/week. She also loves going on walks to see the sheep. — Keeper Angie
• She’s been incredible taking on her best friend’s baby and helping to raise him and teach him how to be an equid. She’s very tolerant with Obi’s playful antics and we’re so grateful that they have each other! — Keeper Amanda

While Betty is behind the scenes with Obi, we'll continue to share pics and videos of this dynamic duo—and we look forward to introducing them to our guests someday. In the meantime, pop by the Children's Zoo to say howdy to our mini horse at Franklin Farm!

12/09/2024

Russ! Don't throw away that knot of broken holiday lights. Recycle those string lights for lions like Dinari. We're collecting used holiday lights and extension cords for our first “Lights for Lions” recycling drive!

Drop off used or non-functioning strings of lights and extension cords at our recycling bins at the Zebra entrance during zoo hours. Recycling proceeds support our conservation partner, Lion Landscapes, in their efforts to protect lions and their habitats.

More details→ zoonewengland.org/protect/what-you-can-do/lights-for-lions/

12/08/2024

Get the kiddos out of the house and exploring their *Senses* with our December School Vacation programs. Join us for one day or all six!

Each day is its own unique session, so you can join us for one day, or all six.

12/07/2024

It's been a tough week for all of us who knew and loved Kitombe gorilla. So here's a fluffy baby experiencing his first snow — sweet Obi, our Poitou donkey foal.

📸 Keeper Amanda

12/06/2024

Friends, we share with great sadness tonight that we said goodbye to Kitombe, a western lowland gorilla, earlier today.

At 38 years old, Kit was a geriatric male gorilla. He was being closely monitored and receiving medication to treat some serious health issues, including a chronic cough, weight and muscle loss, lethargy and trembling. But as we she shared last night, his condition declined rapidly yesterday and our veterinary team decided to conduct a comprehensive exam under anesthesia to better understand the cause of his ailments and treatment options, if any. Our Animal Care and veterinary teams take extraordinary care of our geriatric animals to ensure that they enjoy a healthy and comfortable life as they age. After assessing Kit’s condition, including chest radiographs, routine blood tests, urinalysis, echocardiogram by a consulting veterinary cardiologist, and electromyograms by a consulting veterinary neurologist, the decision was made to humanely euthanize him due to his poor prognosis and serious quality of life concerns.

Kit was a big part of the zoo family for more than 25 years. His care team will remember his gentle way with all of his offspring, including Pablo, Aziza and Kambiri, who still live at Franklin Park Zoo. He was a great nest builder, and he was particular with his food likes and dislikes. He will be greatly missed. We thank you for keeping his care team in your thoughts during this difficult time.

12/05/2024

Kitombe, a beloved male western lowland gorilla affectionately known as Kit, is experiencing concerning health issues. His care team has been closely monitoring his health as well as his quality of life. And today, his condition deteriorated rapidly. His veterinary and animal care team have determined it is necessary to place Kit under anesthesia tomorrow here at Franklin Park Zoo so our veterinary staff can examine him.

While our veterinarians had initially seen some improvements with medication, his deteriorated condition necessitates the need for this exam. They hope to better understand the causes of his health issues, which include a chronic cough, loss of weight and muscle mass, increased lethargy and trembling. Putting an animal under anesthesia carries risk, and it’s even more of a concern for geriatric animals like Kit, who is 38 years old. But given these current health concerns, this exam is necessary. We deeply appreciate your compassion and well-wishes right now.

More information about Kit can be found on our website here https://www.zoonewengland.org/zoo-news/2024/december/gorilla-experiencing-serious-health-issues-at-franklin-park-zoo/

We’ll share updates on social as soon as we can.

12/04/2024

A big fluffy thank you to everyone who donated on Giving Tuesday! ❤️

With your help we were able to meet all three of our matching goals (‼️) and raise $39,500 in support of the compassionate, expert and round-the-clock care of the animals you know and love—like our Poitou donkey foal behind the scenes at Franklin Park Zoo.

If you’re now just seeing our humble ask, you can still give in support of animal care at Zoo New England. Just visit ZooCare.givesmart.com, where you can also learn more about Obi, just a few of the hundreds of animals that we care for at Zoo New England. And thank you.

12/03/2024

1st Giving Tuesday matching challenge ✅
2nd Giving Tuesday matching challenge ✅
Can we make it THREE for Obi?!

An incredible THIRD matching challenge has been posted at ZooCare.givesmart.com in support of our exceptional animal care at Zoo New England. That means every donation made today only will be doubled up to $5,000. Give today to help support the world-class veterinary care, specialized diet and milk replacer and enrichment for this growing floof. Each gift, no matter how large or small, has a tremendous impact on Obi's care as well as all the animals you know and love at Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo.

Thank you for being part of our online family, we hope you’ll join our community of donors. Let's keep to generosity going in support of our animals! Give today in any amount that works for you at→ ZooCare.givesmart.com

12/03/2024

Have you HEARD? We have an exciting update: Generous friends of the Zoos have agreed to match every Giving Tuesday donation made online at https://ZooCare.givesmart.com up to $5,000!

You must make your gift by 11:59 p.m. tonight, December 3, to make it count. Will you accept this challenge? Will you doubles your donation toward the care of our playful Poitou donkey foal with the enormous ears, and all the animals at Franklin Park Zoo?

Your generosity is inspiring. Let's keep it going! Donate now at https://ZooCare.givesmart.com.

12/03/2024

Today is Giving Tuesday! We’re asking our dear friends, followers, members and guests to give at https://ZooCare.givesmart.com in support of the world-class animal care we provide at Franklin Park Zoo. And our Poitou donkey foal has needed a lot of care—round-the-clock hand feeding, vet visits, love and lots of attention in his short life so far.

Learn more about Obi’s story and give today→ https://ZooCare.givesmart.com

12/02/2024

Go WILD this Cyber Monday! With every gift you buy from our Holiday Gift Guide, you're helping to support the Zoos' education, conservation and animal care programs. Visit zoonewengland.org/giftguide to find meaningful experiences, educational gifts and tributes to give to anyone on your list!

12/01/2024

Leftover pumpkin = playtime in the cow corral! But no pumpkin pie for Dexter cattle DJ and Quinn, just a plain old pumpkin to sniff, butt and kick around.

Head to Franklin Farm if you want to see what these gentled giant are up to.

📹 Keeper Angie

11/30/2024

Friends, during this festive and hectic time of year, we’d like to get an important date on your calendar: . We humbly ask that you include us in your donations this Tuesday→ https://ZooCare.givesmart.com

Your support is vital for providing world-class care to the animals you know and love — like Obi, the impossibly fluffy Poitou donkey foal at Franklin Park Zoo, and Maple and Willow, the sassy cougar sisters at Stone Zoo. These are just some of the animals that need special care and attention to thrive. Read about their unique needs here→ https://ZooCare.givesmart.com