Welcome to the herd! 🦒
Join us in welcoming Tahini, a 2-year-old female reticulated giraffe who recently arrived from Zoo Miami! A wonderful new addition to our giraffe family, Tahini stands as part of our commitment to The Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, which promotes genetic diversity among giraffes in human care.
She’s already forming a strong bond with 12-year-old Winston, who’s helping her settle in and get used to the routines with her keepers and fellow giraffes. We’re delighted to share that she is adjusting very well and will soon be making her debut in our outdoor habitat. Stay tuned for more updates!
Welcome Raiden!
After a 1,200-mile road trip from Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, male sea lion, Raiden, has arrived and is settling into his new home at Sea Lion Landing!
His intro to the crew was a slow and steady process. First, Raiden met each of our Riverbanks residents one-on-one, with a mesh barrier between them. Once they were all comfortable, Raiden got the green light to join the main habitat and start mingling with his new companions!
In the coming weeks, you may notice a few changes to our Sea Lion talks as our keepers and animals find their new groove. Be sure to stop by and say hello to our pinniped friends during your next visit to the Zoo!
Susan the Octopus Update
🐙 A Special Update on Susan, Our Giant Pacific Octopus
We want to share an important update about Susan, our giant Pacific octopus, who is entering a fascinating phase of life known as senescence. This natural process marks the end of the octopus life cycle and is characterized by distinctive changes in behavior and physical appearance.
During this time, octopuses exhibit a range of behaviors as they transition through this stage. While it can be bittersweet, we see it as an opportunity to celebrate Susan’s incredible life and the wonders of nature that octopuses represent.
We invite our guests to join us in honoring Susan by sharing your favorite memories and photos of her. Let’s shower her with love and appreciation during this special time in her life! Your support means the world to us and to Susan.
Stay tuned for updates as we continue to care for her with the utmost dedication.
Butch's New Tire
When Butch's favorite "seat" (aka his tire) needed a little TLC, our keepers stepped in to replace the fire hose and give it a fresh upgrade! And of course, Butch made sure to test it out right away to make sure it’s comfy enough for some serious lounging!
But this isn't just about relaxation! This new enrichment keeps Butch active, encouraging him to show off those natural behaviors—like using his muscles to crack open logs and hunt for hidden treats, just like he would in the wild.
Transforming our space from day to night in this mesmerizing time-lapse video, we’re just days away from our kickoff to Wild Lights with ALL NEW lantern displays!
Join us select nights November 15 – January 12 from 5:00PM – 9:00PM and wander through a dazzling world of over 60 larger-than-life wildlife lanterns, each one crafted to bring nature's wonders to life.
Wild Lights is sure to bring seasonal cheer to the entire family featuring nightly snowfall ❄️, interactive activities, picture-perfect photo ops, and visits with Santa (through December 23)!
🎟️Get your tickets today at: https://www.riverbanks.org/events/wild-lights
#WildLights2024 #RiverbanksZooSC
Happy Halloween
Happy Halloween from Riverbanks Zoo and Garden!🎃
Our gorillas recently received some pumpkin themed treats from keepers, inspiring some curiosity from the troop.
A big shoutout to all the ghosts, ghouls, and creatures of the night who made this year’s Boo at the Zoo a spooktacular success! Wishing you all a hauntingly fun and safe Halloween!👻🕷
After 12 long years, we have the pleasure of welcoming a precious toco toucan chick to the world! This egg-stra special hatchling is a significant milestone for us and plays a part in ensuring a bright future for this amazing species! Join us in celebrating this exciting moment for our Zoo!
For the time being the toucan chick will remain behind the scenes with the parents as it learns to fly and eat on its own, however keepers are hopeful that the young toucan will be out on exhibit in early spring.
Check out some of the enhancements made to our Lorikeet Experience!🦜
Meet Huntington! Originally hatched in Huntington Beach State Park, this juvenile green sea turtle is now making waves in the Aquarium and Reptile Conservation Center! Huntington is here thanks to a special head-start program in collaboration with South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and South Carolina State Parks, aiming to raise hatchlings to maturity before releasing them back into the ocean. This important effort boosts chances of survival and supports healthy turtle populations. Come and see Huntington and learn more about this amazing conservation work!
As National Zookeeper Appreciation Week winds down, let’s shine one more spotlight on our amazing Riverbanks Keepers! Take some time to get to know the dedicated team caring for our Riverbanks residents every day!
🌊It’s #WorldOceansDay!
Did you know Riverbanks Zoo has a variety of healthy stony corals from the Florida Reef Tract in our Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Aquarium and Reptile Conservation Center?
These corals were collected to ensure their longevity after experiencing a mass disease outbreak in the Florida region. Stony corals are crucial to the health of our oceans, providing essential habitats for countless marine species and protecting coastal areas. Preserving them helps maintain ocean biodiversity and resilience.
#ComingSoon: Riverbanks is expanding to make space for more corals with new tanks in the coral conservation lab, thanks to contributions made to the Satch Krantz Conservation Fund. Want to learn more about how you can make a positive impact on coral conservation? Donate to the Satch Krantz Conservation Fund today!
Riverbanks is home to over 3,000 animals and one of the nation’s most beautiful botanical gardens.
