Here at Reid Park Zoo, the animal care team uses positive reinforcement training to teach behaviors that allow the animals to participate in their own health care. Even the big cats!
Spot Animal Care Specialists Tessa, and Ashley training with the female lions. As with any animal that participates in this type of training, the lions have the choice and control in their training sessions to walk away when they wish.
Elephant Meru made a huge splash for her first time in the pool this past week! At six months old, the youngest elephant of the herd practiced using her trunk to splash around with the herd. Post-swim, she and her sisters added a fresh layer of dust to coat their skin which acts like sunscreen and keeps the bugs at bay.
Over in the African wild dog habitat, Cricket, was interacting with the incoming water. This was taken right after the pool was cleaned by her care team, and they were refilling it with fresh water. Thank you Animal Care Specialist Tessa for sharing this video with us!
Goat Acupuncture With Dr. Lauren Genow
Our Veterinary team collaborates with experts in their fields to create dynamic care plans for the resident animals of Reid Park Zoo. For Ari, an Oberhasli goat with arthritis, we brought in Dr. Lauren Genow (DVM, CVA, CVSMT) to provide additional care sessions incorporating acupuncture, chiropractic, and a Chinese herbal prescription. We're thrilled to see her improvement!
It's #WorldLionDay! Hear from Animal Care Specialist Megan about these wonderful, Big Cats.
Reid Park Zoo is a proud partner of the #AfricanLionSAFE program which supports organizations in Africa to reduce threats to lions. By working with African communities, African Lion SAFE aims to reinforce viable, connected landscapes and support tolerant communities coexisting with lions.
Keeper Week: Megan’s Post
Hear about big cat conservation in today's #KeeperTakeover! “In late 2022, the US government passed the Big Cat Public Safety Act which enforces a federal law that prohibits private ownership of big cats as well as public interactions with big cat adults and cubs. Big cats are apex predators who are extremely dangerous and should be treated as such. This law means that no one can easily acquire, own, or breed big cat species unless they have the appropriate licensing and care plans to care for such complex animals. It also means that facilities cannot use big cat cubs to allow for public interactions for profit.
The Big Cat Public Safety Act helps protect not only the conservation and breeding of endangered big cat species from the exotic animal trade but also protects the safety of the public by eliminating the possibility of people owning big cats as pets. These dangerous animals require very critical care via specialized diets, habitats and veterinary care that the average person cannot afford and provide. This law also eliminates the risk of a privately owned big cat 'pet' escaping and posing a threat to public safety, which has occured on countless occasions throughout the US over the years. These big cats cannot be tamed or made docile through human contact and it's best to leave the care to accredited facilities who are specialized in their care while they also make great contributions to conservation efforts to save these species in their natural habitats.
Carnivore Keepers who work with big cats in accredited Zoos and Sanctuaries use extreme safety measures daily to ensure the protection of the public, staff and the animals themselves. The question I frequently am asked is 'Do we go in with their big cats and pet them?' The answer will always be 'No.' This not only endangers both the staff and cats but it also does not respect the dangerous nature of their predator instincts. Carnivore Keepers build trusting relationships with their animals in a 'protec
6 Months of Moyo!
It's been 6 months since little Moyo was born! Moyo is Reid Park Zoo's first giraffe calf in 20 years. Standing at almost nine feet tall, Moyo is still visibly shorter than his parents, Penelope and Jasiri. You can see him most mornings at the Zoo, however, giraffe schedules fluctuate depending on their needs.
Baby Elephant Meru in the Mud Wallow at Reid Park Zoo
Four-month-old Meru was rolling with the big kids in this mud wallow! When elephants splash in the mud and get a good coating of mud on them, it helps them stay cool throughout the day. There is nothing cuter than a muddy little elephant!
🦥 Have you heard that the Reid Park Zoo has $3 Ticket Tuesdays every Tuesday in July? Each Tuesday admission to the Zoo is $3 per person. Hang with the sloth, relax with the birds, or chill with a chuckwalla. Thanks for the video Animal Care Specialist Tessa.
Swing on into the Conservation Learning Center, and try out these new photo ops! Immerse yourself in the jungle, or take a hike through the desert with augmented reality photo ops. Just by scanning the QR code with your phone, you'll see a capybara or monkey come to life.
Reid Park Zoo Sets Attendance Record
Today the Zoo set a record for the most people to ever visit in a fiscal year when guest number 618,358 walked through the front gate! The previous record was set 9 years ago after Nandi, the first African elephant born in Arizona, was born at the Zoo. Thank you for joining us this year, for helping us celebrate the births of Meru, Moyo, and Gnocchi, and coming to see the new World of Play and the sloth exhibits (both made possible by funding from the Future of Your Zoo tax initiative).
Check out the full details on the Zoo Blog: https://reidparkzoo.org/blog/reid-park-zoo-sets-attendance-record/
Celebrating Giraffes at Reid Park Zoo
In honor of #WorldGiraffeDay, Reid Park Zoo is celebrating with giraffe themed activities this Saturday, June 22. Come by from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. for giraffe based activities, training demos, and a scavenger hunt throughout the Zoo!
#StandTallForGiraffe #KeepCalmAndSaveAGiraffe
Blue Duiker Diaries Episode 3: Naming a Blue Duiker Baby
We're very excited to announce our blue duiker baby's name: Gnocchi! Tune into Animal Care Specialist Ashley as she talks about the littlest potato of this blue duiker group. Keep your eyes out for the clip of his zoomies. He is running so fast, you would think he is training for the summer Olympics.
Cool Showers with Aldabra and Galapagos Tortoises
Is there anything better than cool showers, and snacks? The female Aldabra tortoises, Dulcee and Georgie, enjoyed a cooling shower then Galapagos tortoise, Isabella, joined in. You can visit with these three ladies just beyond the alligator habitat.
Growing everyday, the blue duiker calf is coming into his own. Hear from veterinarian Dr. Carolina Alvarez as she dives in on the details about how we care for this little duiker. Be sure to check back for the next episode of the "Blue Duiker Diaries" to find out what his care team named him!
Take a look at these boat-billed herons considering twigs for their nest! These gorgeous grey-feathered birds are nocturnal hunters who spend most of the day roosting in trees. Next time you visit the South American aviary, look up and you just might spot them! Thanks to Animal Care Supervisor Alex for sharing this video.
Sibling Elephants at Reid Park Zoo
Check out elephant sisters Nandi, Penzi, and Meru spending a muddy moment together.
Water Sustainability at Reid Park Zoo
It's #WorldOceanDay! 🌊 As desert dwellers, respecting water is arguably even more essential to coexisting in our natural environment. See how we take steps to conserve water each day at Reid Park Zoo!
Splash Into World Ocean Day at Reid Park Zoo
Saturday, June 8 (8 - 11 a.m.), come out to the Zoo to celebrate #WorldOceanDay! Officially recognized in 2008, World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council asks the world each June 8 to rally behind protecting and restoring our blue planet. Play and learn all about what makes water so important for our world!
Blue Duiker Diaries Episode 1: Welcome Blue Duiker Baby
A blue duiker was born at Reid Park Zoo in April! Marigold the duiker gave birth to an 480 gram baby, and they have been spending time behind-the-scenes ever since. Catch the "Blue Duiker Diaries" to learn more about this little duiker's story and follow along as the care team must step in to give mom and baby a little needed support.
