Zoo Miami

11/07/2024

Learn about elephant tusk trimming and radiograph imaging procedures it with our very own Animal Care Supervisor, Jennifer Carril!

Fully voluntary from our elephants and trained through positive reinforcement, a tusk trim is a necessary husbandry procedure. Under human care, some elephants don't maintain the length of their tusks, so it's up to the care staff to help maintain their integrity. We don't trim tusks with the sole purpose of donating trimming to FWC, though we do send over some excess trimmings.

So why are we talking about all of this? is hosting the next Toss the Tusk this Saturday, November 9th! This event provides an opportunity for the public to bring their unwanted elephant ivory (or other wildlife products) for proper disposal. Organized by AZA & the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Toss The Tusk takes place at zoos across the U.S. to raise awareness about the elephant poaching crisis and illegal ivory trade. The collection of these items helps create hope for elephants and other endangered animals by reducing demand for illegal wildlife products in the market.

Don't miss out on various activities and keeper talks throughout the day for the public to get involved & informed - admission's not necessary to participate!

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3UhtnQr.

11/06/2024

‘Tis the season! 📅 Zoo Lights is back and it's bigger and better with even more photo ops! On select nights from Friday, November 29th - Monday, December 30th. Experience a very Miami winter wonderland with more than 1 million lights, dazzling decorations, appearances from Santa, animal encounters, live entertainment, theme nights and so much more!

Plus, kick it off with us for opening night on Friday, November 29th at 7:00PM, with a special tree lighting ceremony complete with carolers and more 🎄🦁

Buy tickets here: https://bit.ly/48p0Uy1

11/06/2024

11/05/2024

Elephants use their tusks for countless reasons. They can even be right or left tusk dominant, just like humans are right or left handed! Our residents, Peggy, Mabel, and Ongard, each use theirs in different ways (honorable mention to Nellie, who has no tusks but is still cute).

Want to help their cousins out in the wild? is hosting the next Toss the Tusk this Saturday, November 9th! This event provides an opportunity for the public to bring their unwanted elephant ivory (or other wildlife products) for proper disposal. Organized by AZA & the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Toss The Tusk takes place at zoos across the U.S. to raise awareness about the elephant poaching crisis and illegal ivory trade. The collection of these items helps create hope for elephants and other endangered animals by reducing demand for illegal wildlife products in the market.

We'll also be hosting various activities and keeper talks throughout the day for the public to get involved and informed - admission is not necessary to participate!

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3UhtnQr

📸: Melanie Bracco

11/04/2024

It is with profound sadness that Zoo Miami announces that “Rinny,” the zoo’s 9-year-old female koala, was found deceased yesterday morning in her habitat. Rinny had recently been exhibiting a diminished appetite and was being closely monitored as she was appearing unusually lethargic. It was at 6:00AM in the morning during a special check as part of those close observations that she was discovered non-responsive.

On Thursday, after not showing any improvement in appetite, she was immobilized and brought to the Animal Hospital so that the Animal Health team could closely examine her. The hope was that the exam would reveal any underlying factors that may be contributing to her abnormal symptoms. Other than some gastro-intestinal dysfunction that she was receiving supportive care for, nothing was immediately found that would indicate that there were any serious issues.

Following her death, a necropsy was performed in hopes of finding a conclusive answer as to what the cause may have been. Though there were some small abnormalities such as an enlarged heart, gall bladder, and dry stomach contents, there were no immediate results that clearly explained the cause of death. The Animal Health team has submitted a variety of samples for histopaths and will be awaiting those results to see if they provide any more conclusive answers.

Rinny was born at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in South Carolina on October 20, 2015. She arrived at Zoo Miami on September 21st of 2018. During her time at the zoo, she and the resident male, “Milo,” lived at the zoo’s Posner Australian Center which continues to be home to a male koala named, “Coedie,” a pair of hairy nosed wombats, a family of Matchie’s tree kangaroos, and a cassowary.

Over the years, Zoo Miami has contributed tens of thousands of dollars towards koala conservation through its Conservation Fund and the Gail S. Posner Trust. It is hoped that Rinny’s legacy will be the inspiration that she gave to countless visitors to care for and protect these endearing marsupials.

📸: Ron Magill

11/04/2024

In honor of , will offer all active and veteran U.S. military personnel (with appropriate military ID) free admission, plus 50% off general admission tickets for up to 6 accompanying guests from November 8th - 11th. This promotion is not valid online and must be claimed onsite at Zoo Miami's ticketing building.

Thank you veterans, for your service! 🇺🇸

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3Adwr9k

📸: Ron Magill

11/02/2024

POV: You battled an early morning wake up and had the best time at ! 🏃💨

Special thanks to our partners: Baptist Health, Bean Automotive Group, & Go Run

11/01/2024

Kapok & Jiwa really are besties ✨💞🦧

📸:

10/31/2024

Witching everyone a spooktacular ! 👻 Special thanks to The Berry Farms for the enrichment donations. 🎃

10/30/2024

Oh snap! is almost over, so here are some about our Orinocos:
🐊 Orinoco crocodiles are found in Colombia & Venezuela, named after the river which crosses both countries
🐊 They can grow to 18 feet in length
🐊 Due to hunting, they're critically endangered and are on the IUCN Red List
🐊 Zoo Miami has helped hatch more than 50 viable Orinoco eggs with 25 successful offspring!

Let us know your favorite in the comments below!

10/29/2024

“Turn around, bright eyes!” - Jeff Healey

But actually… turnaround, there might be a crocodile right behind you. With scaling back, we’re leaving you with an important PSA about co-existing with these jaw-some croc-stars.

Did you know that wildlife agencies, like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), actively monitor populations and areas where human-crocodile interactions are frequent? When crocs become too snappy for your liking, the FWC can relocate them to less populated areas.

Now, we know what all you Florida men are thinking - you can outrun one since it’s just sitting there all still and stuff. Well, guess what buddy? That danger floaty can croc your world by lunging at you at 35 miles per hour!

📸: Nicole Hunnewell
📸: Ron Magill

10/29/2024

It's all treats, no tricks for our animals! Special thanks to for the pumpkin enrichment donations, just in time for spooky season! 🎃

Don't forget, if you're shopping for candy, look for brands with sustainable or no palm oil. Palm oil production has contributed to deforestation in vital habitats, including the home of orangutans! 🦧

10/28/2024

Ancient wisdom, modern medicine! Just as humans seek this practice, discover how is using and Chinese veterinary medicine to improve our animals' well-being!

10/26/2024

Our field conservation and research team spotted a rare wild gopher gourdoise this week. They were able to get samples from it to monitor its health, place a microchip, and put visual and radio trackers on it so we can discover more about this elusive species.

10/25/2024

Let the gourd times roll! 🎃 Join us now - Oct. 31 for our Pumpkin Pursuit Scavenger Hunt! Grab a map, hunt, explore, and score a spooky keepsake (while supplies last).

*While supplies last. An admission ticket is required to enter Zoo Miami & the scavenger hunt is an additional cost.

10/25/2024

Calling all teachers! 📢 Did you know bats are superheroes?! 🦇 has collaborated with Bat Conservation International, Discovery Education, and LEGO to build educational content to explore how bats live and play in the wild and in conservancies and zoos. Discover the critical role bats play in the environment, how they protect our crops and what we can do to help bats thrive!🦇 Bat Week

Register your class in the link below:
https://bit.ly/4flkQnL

10/25/2024

Did you know is hosting the next Toss the Tusk? Organized by AZA and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, this series of events takes place at zoos across the U.S. to raise awareness about the elephant poaching crisis and illegal ivory trade.

On Saturday, November 9th, we're providing an opportunity for the public to bring their unwanted elephant ivory (or other wildlife products) for proper disposal. We'll also be hosting various activities and keeper talks throughout the day for the public to get involved and informed - admission is not necessary to participate!

The collection of these items will help create hope for elephants and other endangered animals by reducing demand for illegal wildlife products in the market.

Swipe to check out photos of past Toss the Tusk events, including donated elephant tusks, tusks from other animals, ivory statues, animal pelts, clothing and jewelry, as well as the U.S. FWC verifying various items.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3UhtnQr

10/24/2024

Zoo Miami is the leader in Florida Bonneted Bat conservation in Florida. We partner with Bat Conservation International on our work with endangered Florida Bonneted Bats. These highly endangered bats are one of the largest bats in Florida. Their habitat has been fragmented or destroyed in ways that makes it hard for them to find adequate roosts. In cities, they have to find cavities inside roofs of homes and businesses. That's not good for people or the bats! We work to add bat boxes and artificial roosts for bats all across Miami-Dade County! These bat boxes work so well that Miami-Dade County is now home to the largest population in the state!

YOU can support bat conservation by learning about how our local bat species help to keep our insect population under control. Always check your roof and trees for bats before doing anything to them. All bats are protected by state law in Florida.

10/24/2024

Huge shout out to Yosanni Torres, who's in Papua New Guinea with the staff from Woodland Park Zoo working at the Tree Kangaroo Rescue & Conservation Center in the Port Moresby Nature Park (where they rescue and rehabilitate tree kangaroos).

The main reason for Yosanni's visit is capacity building through staff training, by sharing how Zoo Miami cares for Tree Roos to provide the best care and welfare. She is helping guide staff at the Nature Park to create more natural diets based on diet analysis studies, and comparing their wild diet.

She's also been helping the staff at the Nature Park develop a foundation for training to build better husbandry, medical practices, and a strong relationship between keepers and the animals. She has also been sharing ideas and participated in building natural enrichment for the Tree Roos.

10/24/2024

We have a name!!! We would like to officially introduce you to Makan, which means “to eat” in the Malay language.

Makan is growing like a healthy baby watermelon and now weighs 61 lbs! Animal care staff have been monitoring Makan and mom and they are bonding well. His personality is starting to shine through as he tries to put everything in his mouth- hence the name Makan.

Next month Makan and his mom will be going out for short monitored visits into the public habitat. Stay tuned for dates!

10/24/2024

It's time to make a splash! Join us this Saturday, October 26th & Sunday, October 27th, for Peppa Pig & George's big arrival at ! Don’t miss out on photo appearances and much more with Zoo Boo also taking place nearby - all included in your admission.

🌎 Where: the Special Events Meadow- next to Zoo Boo
🐽 Scheduled Meet & Greet Times: 10:30am – 11:00am, 11:30am – 12:00pm, 1:30pm – 2:00pm, and 2:30pm – 3:00pm

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3B28txV

10/23/2024

Calling all ghosts, goblins & ghouls! 👻 Zoo Boo, South Florida’s #1 trick-or-treating event, is back at this Saturday, October 26th & Sunday, October 27th from 10am - 3pm. What should you expect?
🍬 Trick or treating
🧟 Costume contests
🎪 Inflatable carnival
🐅 Enrichment for our animals
🤪 Activities & so much more!

Don't forget - if you're shopping for Halloween candy, look for options with sustainable or no palm oil. 🎃 Palm oil production has contributed to deforestation in vital habitats, including the home of orangutans!

Learn more below for our animal enrichment schedule, event map & everything you need to know for : https://bit.ly/3WZYbWm

10/22/2024

Happy from your favorite hairy nosed wombats, Gordon and Adelaide! Did you know wombats have SQUARE shaped p**p?! 💩 Learn all about them from Zoo Miami's Animal Care Coordinator, Yosanni Torres, and come visit them in our Australia section on your next adventure! 🐾

10/22/2024

Last week, our king vulture, "Aztec," was immobilized to perform a series of tests to evaluate his gastro-intestinal tract. Over the past several weeks, he has been producing abnormal casts (regurgitated pellets) that may be indicative of gastro-intestinal issues. The tests included a series of radiographs, blood collection, and the administration of a barium series to better determine his gastro-intestinal motility. In addition, he is receiving antibiotics to address a high white blood cell count.

Aztec is the oldest male king vulture in the country with an estimated age of over 60 years! This is extraordinary since the normal lifespan of king vultures is believed to be closer to 40 years. He has since made a full recovery from the procedures and the Animal Health team is in the process of evaluating test results. He is one of many animals at Zoo Miami that have significantly exceeded their normal life span due to the exceptional care they receive here.

From elephants receiving acupuncture to a gaur receiving medicated sponge baths, the staff at is dedicated to providing the animals that live here with the best possible care to extend their quality of life for as long as possible.

📸: Ron Magill