Zoo Miami

02/14/2025

On Wednesday, February 12th, “Zinnia,” a 7-year-old North American river otter gave birth to three pups at the Florida: Mission Everglades exhibit at Zoo Miami! This is Zinnia’s third litter.

This morning, the Animal Health and Animal Science teams performed a quick neonatal exam to determine the s*x of the pups as well as get weights while also using a clipper to shave certain areas for identification purposes. The genders were determined to be one male and two females, and initial indications are that they are in good health.

After a pregnancy of approximately 2 months, the pups, weighing between 164 and 168 grams, were born in a secluded den where they are being well cared for by Zinnia. She arrived at Zoo Miami in April of 2019 from the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island where she was born. Zinnia and the pups will remain isolated behind the scenes for a still to be determined amount of time to ensure that mother and babies have minimal disturbances while they bond and grow.

The 9-year-old father’s name is “Edison,” and he arrived at Zoo Miami in October of 2016 after being rescued as an orphan and hand-raised by a group called Wild Florida. He is presently separated from Zinnia and the pups so that she can give them her undivided attention which would normally be the case in the wild as the males do not participate in rearing the babies.

North American river otters are extremely active and playful animals that are found in a variety of freshwater habitats throughout much of the U.S. and Canada. They can grow 3-4 feet long including the tail and usually weigh between 12 and 25 pounds with the males getting slightly larger than the females. In the wild, they live around 10 years but can live twice that long under human care. They feed on a variety of aquatic life such as fish, frogs, and crustaceans, as well as eggs, reptiles, birds and small mammals. They can stay under water for several minutes and have a thick protective fur to insulate them against cold temperatures. They are perfectly adapted for semi-aquatic life with a slender body, a long flat and powerful tail, and short legs with webbed feet. In addition to being quick agile swimmers, they are also capable of running up to 15 mph on land.

Though their populations were threatened decades ago mainly due to trapping for the fur trade, their biggest threat today is due to habitat loss and pollution.

📸: Ron Magill

02/14/2025

Tag your zoo boo in the comments 💋🐾

02/13/2025

We're back with the latest Sea Turtle Hospital Update!
🐢 Prosciutto: After 11 months and numerous surgeries after being transferred from the Brevard Zoo with numerous FP lesions, Prosciutto has been released!
🐢 Gnocchi was transported to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach on January 28th for her release in cooperation with FWC the following day in NE Florida.
🐢 Bilbo: The largest turtle currently with us, Bilbo’s carapace is healing up nicely from an injury that resulted from a boat strike. Unfortunately, Bilbo’s spine is not healing the way we’d hoped, and she hasn't regained use of her rear flippers.
🐢 Ben: This cold stunned individual came to us from the Sea Turtle Hospital at Whitney Labs and has responded well to initial treatments. It was determined that he had an underlying infection, for which he is being treated.
🐢 Jerry: Arriving at the same time as Ben, Jerry is unfortunately much sicker. Another cold stunning victim, Jerry has remained in intensive care since arriving January 24th.
🐢 Spaghetti: Unfortunately, the tumor in her oral cavity had intruded into the jawbone and was deemed inoperable after a follow-up CT scan and consultation with a number of specialists. The difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize Spaghetti to prevent her from suffering.
🐢 Rocky Road was brought to us as a cold stun from the Ft. Lauderdale area. Despite having no FP lesions, Rocky was unable to overcome the cold shock, and passed away shortly after arriving.

Leatherback turtles are the largest species of turtle, weighting an averaging 1000 pounds and 6ft in length, typically. Their populations are declining roughly by 80%, especially in the Pacific ocean. You can help this remarkable species by responsibly disposing of your garbage and reporting any sighting of a distressed turtles to the Florida Wildlife Commission by phone at (1-888-404-3922).

02/13/2025

When and are B2B, it's the perfect time to celebrate their unique mating ritual 😉 Our hornbill pair, Carl and Ellie (yes, like the movie Up), have a nesting box where they participate in this special tradition.

02/12/2025

Calling all spring breakers! Adventure awaits at ’s upcoming spring camp: "Splash and Swim: Exploring the Depths of Aquatic Life"! 🌊🐠

Young explorers will dive into the wonders of aquatic life, discovering freshwater ecosystems, meeting amazing creatures, and making waves with hands-on activities! Plus, they’ll cool off at our splash pads for the perfect mix of learning and fun.

📅 March 24-28, 2025
🥪 Optional "ani-meals" lunch add-on available
🦦 Adopt-an-animal keepsakes to take the camp fun home

Spots are limited—learn more here: https://bit.ly/42StS8K

02/11/2025

Did you catch on WLRN Public Radio and Television this past Friday? During a live broadcast, Zoo Miami Foundation's President & CEO, Jose Romano welcomed NPR and The Florida Roundup! Mayor Daniella Levine Cava discussed local issues, and our very own Dr. Frank Ridgley spoke on conservation projects with monarch butterflies and gopher tortoises.

We also brought out our ambassador animals (Baby the Amazon parrot and Raphael the gopher tortoise), and Tiffany Moore released Atala butterflies live on air!

🎧 Listen to the full conversation here: https://bit.ly/41lRNMJ

02/08/2025

The gates to Dinos Among Us are opening on February 22nd, and prehistoric giants are taking over !🦖🌿 Get ready to walk among 20 life-size, animatronic dinosaurs that move and roar—just like they did 65 million years ago!

But the fun doesn’t stop there… Opening day is packed with dino-mite activities:

🦕 Dr. Heredia’s Dino Research Center – Uncover the latest in paleontology
🦴 Dino Dig Cart – Dig up fossils like a real paleontologist
🔍 Dino Discovery Scavenger Hunt (Additional purchase required!)
🦖 Roaming Dinosaurs – Watch out, they’re on the loose!
🧠 Jurassic Trivia – Test your Mesozoic knowledge
🦎 Dino-Like Animal Encounters – Meet Zoo Miami’s modern-day reptiles

Who’s ready for an adventure 165 million years in the making? Tag your fellow explorers and get ready for a roaring good time! 🎟️🦖

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4gh330Q

📸: Ron Magill

02/07/2025

Friday plans? Exploring wild places and making epic memories 🐊✨

📸:

02/06/2025

What can ripples in the water mean?

They're back! Dinos Among Us is making its colossal return beginning on Saturday, February 22 – September 14, 2025!

Get ready for T-rexcellent encounters with 20 life-size, roaring, and moving dinosaurs, along lots of opening day fun including:
🧑‍⚕️ Dr. Heredia's Dino Research Center
🦖 Dino dig cart
🗺️ Dino Discovery Scavenger Hunt (additional purchase required)
🦕 Roaming Dinosaurs
💡 Jurassic Trivia
🦜 Dino-Like Animal Encounters

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4gh330Q

P.S. - No flamingos were harmed in the making of this video 😉

02/05/2025

Did you know the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing the monarch butterfly as a threatened species? Here in South Florida, we have a unique situation when it comes to these beautiful pollinators, and the advice you see online doesn’t always apply here—it can even be harmful!

Tiffany from is here to clear things up! She’ll explain how the OE parasite is affecting our monarchs and why tropical milkweed, a popular choice in Florida gardens, is actually part of the problem. 🌿🚫

Watch to learn what YOU can do to help protect monarchs in South Florida! 🧡

02/04/2025

Zoomies hit different at 🤪

02/04/2025

BREAKING: Dinos are stomping their way to ! 🦖🚨Get ready to time-travel back to the prehistoric age, because Dinos Among Us is back from February 22nd - September 14, 2025 with 20 life-size animatronic dinosaurs that move & roar.

Get ‘T-rex-cited’ and witness these legends for yourselves, included with your admission! Who’s ready for an adventure 165 million years in the making? 🦕

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4gh330Q

02/03/2025

Have you secured your tickets to Feast with the Beasts presented by Amazon.com yet? Join us March 7, 2025 for ’s ultimate fundraising and tasting event!

Get ready for a night filled with:
🍽️ Unlimited bites & drinks from Miami’s top restaurants
🍸 Open bars to keep the fun flowing
🦥 Up-close encounters with our animal ambassadors
🎶 Live music & entertainment all night long
🏆 A silent auction featuring incredible prizes like a 3-night Bahamian vacation, “Party Like A Rock Star” package at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and once in a lifetime ride in the Goodyear Blimp, among others!

Every ticket supports Zoo Miami Foundation’s mission of conservation & community engagement.

🎟️ Adults 21+ | Rain or shine

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4285CNl

02/02/2025

And the wildest Song of the Year goes to… 🏆 🎤🎶 Drop your votes in the comments!

02/01/2025

Did you know Green Anacondas are the heaviest snake on earth and can weigh up to 500lbs? As constrictors, they coil up and suffocate their prey. Our anaconda, Minaj, enjoys soaking in the water most of the day.

And if you thought anacondas were big, they got nothing on the Titanaboa of the Paleocene epoch! 👀 Come see one face-to-face during Dinos Among Us, launching Saturday February 22nd!

Learn more about Dinos Among Us here: https://bit.ly/4gh330Q

01/31/2025

At , we’re lucky to have Grévy’s zebras on habitat—the largest and most endangered of the three zebra species.

Here’s how to tell them apart:
✅ Grévy’s zebra: Narrow stripes, big ears, and have a conservation priority. They are native to the grasslands of Kenya & Ethiopia.
✅ Plains zebra: The most common, with six subspecies spread across Africa. They can be identified by their stripes which extend under the belly, and paler 'shadow' stripes on their behinds.
✅ Mountain zebra: Adapted to rugged terrain in South Africa & Namibia. They have a small dewlap under their chin, much bolder stripes on their legs and do not have any shadow stripes like the plains zebra.
Visit the zoo and see these unique stripes up close! 🖤🤍

📸: Emma Hames

01/28/2025

Haven't snagged your Feast with the Beasts tickets yet? Last chance discount tickets end this Sunday, February 2nd! Don't miss out on ’s annual tasting event returning on Friday, March 7, 2025!

Prepare yourself for a night of:
🍽️ Unlimited bites & drinks from Miami’s top restaurants
🍸 Open bar and specialty cocktails
🦥 Special appearances by animal ambassadors
🎶 Live music & entertainment
🏆 A silent auction with amazing prizes

Want to experience everything the night has to offer? Upgrade your ticket to VIP Beastkeeper and enjoy the pre-party at the VIP Beastkeeper lounge, access to the VIP space in the main area, special tastings, private bars, and exclusive animal encounters!

Every ticket supports Zoo Miami Foundation’s vision of uniting everyone with nature to protect and restore wildlife.

🎟️ Adults 21+ | Rain or shine

Click the link here to purchase tickets before they go up in price on February 3rd: https://bit.ly/3VjJMEe

Presented by: Amazon.com

01/28/2025

and WPLG Local 10 are taking the Eco Hero contest down under—AUSTRALIA! 🇦🇺 One lucky high schooler and their guardian will embark on a two-week adventure alongside Local 10’s Kristi Krueger and Zoo Miami’s Ron Magill, exploring Melbourne Zoo, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, and more!

If you or a student you know is making a positive impact on the environment, this once-in-a-lifetime trip could be yours! 🌱✨

📅 Apply by this Friday, January 31, 2025 for your chance to participate in Eco Hero: Down Under here: https://bit.ly/3CruR4Q

01/27/2025

Dental health is a key component of the Animal Health Department’s preventative medicine program at Zoo Miami. A variety of issues ranging from gum disease to fractured and broken teeth can lead to critical care issues that may result in serious infection and even death without treatment.

Because animals generally do not complain about dental pain, dental disease is often referred to as “silent suffering” in the animal health field. By the time serious signs such as loss of appetite and weight are evident, the disease or infection process may be quite advanced and can be a debilitating and sometimes fatal issue in animals that do not receive the proper care.

As part of the overall preventative medicine program at Zoo Miami, dental exams are routinely done on a variety of animals during regular general health exams. If issues are diagnosed, depending on the severity of the problem, Zoo Miami’s team of veterinarians will either perform the treatment themselves, or, when there are more complicated cases, enlist the assistance of a veterinary dental specialist.

Last week, veterinary dentist, Dr. Jamie Berning, DVM, DAVDC, from Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery of Ohio, along with members of her team, traveled from their home in Columbus, Ohio to perform a series of procedures on a variety of animals including an orangutan, a lion, two chimpanzees, a sloth bear, and two jaguars. The procedures were done over several days and ranged from general consults, cleanings and exams to extractions and root canals. Zoo Miami is very grateful for the expertise and time that Dr. Berning and her team donate to provide Zoo Miami animals with this critical care.

In addition to the dental work, the two chimpanzees also received cardiac exams performed by cardiologist Dr. Ken Zilde and several of his colleagues. Also participating in those exams was Nurse Bobbie Boyd from the Great Ape Heart Project as well as Michael Ringstad from Medtronics. As part of the cardiac workups, each chimpanzee was given an echocardiogram, and one had his Implantable Loop Recorder (ILR) replaced. The ILR records the chimpanzee’s cardiac activity and transfers it directly to the medical team to be studied for any abnormalities. All animals have since recovered and been returned to their habitats.

📸: Ron Magill
📸: German Ramirez

01/25/2025

Explore the wild side of Florida! From gators to panthers, Florida: Mission Everglades brings you up close to the Sunshine State’s incredible wildlife.

01/24/2025

Did you know that Zoo Miami participates in Gorillas on the Line? In this nationwide program across zoos, guests can bring in any old, small electronic device (phone, ipad, etc.) to and can exchange them for a free admission ticket! Bringing in these devices not only gets you a day at the zoo, but it helps gorillas out in the wild!

Mobile devices carry a substance called coltan, and one of the few places in the world where this is mined is in the Democratic Republic of Congo, right in the middle of gorilla habitats. Recycling your old devices raises money to directly support their conservation. Answer the call and help save them in the wild!

01/22/2025

The Zoo Miami Wildlife Conservation Fund supports field conservation of wildlife and wild places both locally and internationally. Projects like endangered whale shark conservation by Shark Team One make us so proud with what they can achieve with support from this fund. Check out their work in this video:

Zoo Miami's Wildlife Conservation Fund supports field conservation of wildlife and wild places both locally and internationally. Projects like endangered wha...

01/22/2025

Hey, Bad Bunny, thanks for making this cute little toad famous! Puerto Rican Crested Toads (PRCT) are the only toads native to the island of Puerto Rico and are critically endangered. Zoo Miami actively breeds PRCTs and works with the Puerto Rican Crested Toad Conservancy to release thousands of tadpoles every year on the island. We are so happy to see this little known species get some real big recognition as an icon of the Puerto Rican people.

01/21/2025

It is with bittersweet emotions that Zoo Miami announces the passing of “Kara,” Zoo Miami’s senior giant river otter-- the oldest giant river otter in the entire country. At nearly 20 years old, Kara was the oldest giant river otter in the country, far surpassing the species’ typical lifespan. She arrived at Zoo Miami in 2008 from the Philadelphia Zoo, where she was born in March 2005.

Kara’s remarkable life included giving birth to 27 pups, leaving a lasting legacy in the conservation of this endangered species. Her contributions to her species and her role as a mother will never be forgotten.

Giant river otters, often called “River Wolves,” are native to South America and face threats like habitat destruction and fur hunting. Zoo Miami proudly supports Proyecto Arirahnas in Brazil, working to protect these incredible animals and their ecosystems.

Kara’s memory will live on in the hearts of our Zoo Miami family, her caretakers, and all who had the privilege to see her.

📸: Ron Magill

01/21/2025

The gates of Jurassic Pa—we mean, —are about to open wide for Dinos Among Us! 🦖

📅 Starting February 22nd, come face-to-face with 20 LIFE-SIZE, moving, roaring dinos that’ll have you double-checking your survival skills. 🫣 T-Rex? Check. Raptors? Obviously. Jurassic vibes? Guaranteed!

Bring your fam or your squad (we support all dino enthusiasts) and get ready for a prehistoric adventure you don’t want to miss! This is your chance to explore the past, uncovering fun facts about these ancient creatures and their modern-day connections. 🌍💡

Mark your calendars, secure those tickets, and as they say in Jurassic Park: life, uh, finds a way. 🦕✨

📸: Ron Magill

01/18/2025

Accidentally dropped the card, but picked up the adventure! 🐍💳

01/17/2025

Did you guess it correctly? Scroll down for the answer!
If you guessed an okapi you got it right!

01/16/2025

⚠️ Graphic Content Warning ⚠️

During their recent annual exams, six of our 36 flamingos were found to have early stages of ulcerative pododermatitis, or “bumblefoot.” This common condition occurs when bacteria enter small wounds on a bird’s feet, causing swelling and abscesses that, if untreated, can lead to lameness.

Thanks to Zoo Miami’s dedicated Animal Health Team, all six flamingos underwent successful surgical treatment and are recovering at our Animal Hospital. Once healed, they’ll rejoin the flock!

These cases highlight the importance of our comprehensive preventative care program. Regular exams help us catch issues early, ensuring the well-being of every animal, especially seniors who are more vulnerable to health concerns.

Every check-up matters for their health and happiness!

📸: Ron Magill

01/16/2025

K-O-M-O-D-O-S, we love dragons, yes oh yes! This check out some about 's Komodo dragons:
🦎 Komodo dragons can grow to 10 feet long!
🦎 They are found in the Komodo, Rintja, and Flores islands of Indonesia
🦎 Their diet consists of wild boar, deer, and rodents!

01/15/2025

Time for a flamingo roundup! 🦩 Our expert Animal Health and Care teams recently gathered all 36 flamingos for their yearly comprehensive medical exams. These check-ups include assessing body conditions, administering vaccinations, conducting bloodwork, and inspecting their feet (an essential step since they spend so much time wading in water)!

These evaluations are part of ’s preventative medical program, helping us catch and treat any potential health issues early.

We’re happy to report that most of our flock is healthy and thriving! A few had minor foot lesions, and they’re already receiving the care they need.