The oldest Spotted Hyena in the US has died. Sacramento Zoo's hyena dies at age of 28 - Sac Paws - The Sacramento Bee
Maybe the animal died of boredom? Now the old grotto, which was an atrocious exhibit for hyenas for many years, can perhaps house another species: http://www.zoochat.com/948/spotted-hyena-exhibit-233616/
It made an even better grizzly bear exhibit: http://www.zoochat.com/948/grizzly-bear-1974-a-245282/ The hyenas were there because they had been retired from the UC Berkeley hyena colony. Hopefully the grotto will be renovated into something much better like the adjacent snow leopard (former sloth bear grotto) and anteater (former polar bear grotto) yards have been. I'm not sure why the hyenas never got an upgrade in their lifetime. It doesn't much matter now I guess.
It's been almost 3 months, but I'd thought I'd say that a female Masai Giraffe from Los Angeles is on exhibit. The Official Sacramento Zoo Blog: New Masai Giraffe A Chimpanzee also died a few days before the hyena did. http://www.saczoo.org/page.aspx?pid=780
According to the Sacramento Zoo home page, a new young male Snow Leopard is now on exhibit with their female. In addition, over the last 6 months, 3 female Grevy's Zebras joined the resident herd. Here's an article on the upcoming small African animal exhibit; Aardvarks and other exotic critters soon to make Sacramento Zoo their home - Sac Moms Club & Family - The Sacramento Bee
A Wolf's Guenon was born on January 26th. African monkey born at Sacramento zoo - Sac Paws - The Sacramento Bee
A male Sumatran Tiger was born on March 3rd! Endangered Sumatran Tiger Gives Birth At Sacramento Zoo CBS Sacramento
A Mongoose Lemur was born on May 11th, and is on exhibit. The Official Sacramento Zoo Blog: Baby Mongoose Lemur
Black and White Ruffed Lemur babies! The Official Sacramento Zoo Blog: Black & White Ruffed Lemur Babies The Official Sacramento Zoo Blog: Black & White Ruffed Lemur Babies Update & Video Things are also looking better for the male Sumatran Tiger. Sumatran Tiger Undergoes Chemotherapy Threatment | KTXL FOX40
Dixie the Grevy's Zebra died. http://www.saczoo.org/page.aspx?pid=813 From the zoo's Facebook: "The 2012/2013 Sacramento Zoo Teen program recently donated $1,000 to the Small Wonders of Africa exhibit renovation project. They raised this money at their public education stations which help educate Sacramento Zoo visitors about animals, conservation, and wildlife. Zoo Teens are a Roots & Shoots group of 13-19 year olds interested in animals, the earth, and our community who volunteer their time on the weekends at the Sacramento Zoo. We can't thank them enough for their dedication and support of the Sacramento Zoo. The Zoo is so proud to be involved with such a great group of teens. Help support Small Wonders here: www.saczoo.org/SmallWonders"
From the zoo's Facebook: "Our hearts are heavy with the loss of Shanti, the Sacramento Zoo’s 20-year-old Snow Leopard who was euthanized on Friday, July 12 due to her poor quality of life following traumatic injuries. At 20, Shanti was among the oldest Snow Leopards in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan® (SSP). When keepers arrived at work Sunday, July 7 they noticed that Shanti was injured and unable to move around comfortably. Upon closer examination by the Zoo’s veterinarian it was determined that Shanti had incurred trauma to her back which included damage to her vertebrae. The Zoo’s veterinarian treated Shanti’s injuries and she was started on a course of antibiotics and pain medication. When Shanti’s condition worsened due to further neurological complications and infection, the Zoo’s veterinarians and animal care staff made the difficult decision to euthanize her. Some of Shanti’s injuries including a bite wound indicate that there had been aggression overnight between her and a companion, a juvenile male Snow Leopard with whom she has lived for the last 7 months. However, it is unclear exactly if and how the bite wound and other traumatic injuries were related. “Shanti is an icon at the Zoo, an excellent and patient mother and an incredible character. She was well loved and will be missed by keepers and visitors alike,” said Leslie Field, Supervisor of Mammals at the Sacramento Zoo."
Up-date about the Red panda cub : UPDATE! Hand-raised Red Panda Cub Thrives at Sacramento Zoo - ZooBorns