An exciting announcement to start the year! Western lowland gorilla pregnancy: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/gorilla-zoo-calgary-pregnant-lowland-yewande-1.5868598 Yewande, a western lowland gorilla, is expecting her first baby. The 12-year-old is due to give birth in early May, the zoo said in a release Monday. "This marks the first gorilla baby in the troop since Kimani's birth in 2016," Dorgan said, noting it will also be the first offspring for Jasiri, the zoo's new male silverback. Jasiri, a 21-year-old who came from the Atlanta Zoo, was moved in with the zoo's band of female western lowland gorillas last year.
That’s super exciting! Especially since Zuri will be a grandmother. Does any one know if the giraffes are breeding?
With the giraffes I have heard Calgary is pausing breeding for now. Emara has yet to have a successful calf in 4-5 attempts. Its been a mix of miscarriage, stillbirth and the male calf who had deformities incompatible with life and thats with two different bulls as fathers who have older healthy calves. The common denominator is Emara. I think they were pausing to consult with colleagues to see if there is anything they can do to help more with a successful outcome. They could be back to breeding. I also wouldnt be surprised if they just stopped trying with her and wait for Toronto's Amani to be transferred over in the next year then wait for her to grow up and breed again then. It's been the plan since the new breeding pairs were established for female calves to be swapped for further breeding. I would guess Amani would be transferred come fall unless plans change.
The zoo is going to be keeping an even closer eye on its animals following the outbreak of covid among the gorillas in San Diego. The zoos biggest concerns are the felines and primates, especially pregnant gorilla Yewande. They are looking at other ways to further protect their animals but much has already been done since March. COVID-19 cases among San Diego gorillas have keepers at Calgary Zoo watching animals ‘like a hawk’
Despite covid the penguin walk has returned with new rules to protect all. Penguin walk returns to Calgary Zoo with COVID-19 precautions
The zoo has artificially inseminated Amur tiger, Sarma, with a sample from Youri. New techiniques in AI in tigers is showing more promise so its hoped that they will be able to confirm pregnancy in the coming weeks. If this works it would be a first in Canada. Fingers crossed. Calgary Zoo tiger artificially inseminated as part of conservation effort
King penguin, Tut, has passed away following surgery to remove a mass in his abdomen. Calgary Zoo king penguin dies post-surgery Female red panda, Sakura, has left for Vancouver to breed. VIDEO: Meet Sakura, Greater Vancouver Zoo’s newest red panda - Abbotsford News
Sad news. Gorilla, Yewande's son was stillborn and likely premature. A Devastating Loss for our Western Lowland Gorilla Troop | Calgary Zoo
Calgary will soon be back to breeding Japanese macaques as new male, Kyubi, is set to arrive from Granby on a breeding recommendation.
Sadly Chaplin the Japanese Macaque has passed, he lives on through his daughters Loki, Mika, Suki and Sachi.
The zoo is seeking donations to help raise the $100 000 needed to repair Dinny their life sized dino sculpture. He is the last survivor of the Natural History Park. He had a $200 000 job done a few years ago to reinforce parts of his body. Really expensive sculpture. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/dinny-the-dinosaur-improvements-1.6001600
The zoo has offered an update on their work with fishers in Washington State. The first kits have been seen since the relocation program began. Calgary Zoo celebrates first fisher kit sighting after species reintroduced to Washington State
What a cool initiative by Calgary Zoo and other conservation groups to re-establish fishers in Washington State (89 reintroduced fishers from 2018-2020).
3 whooping crane chicks have hatched at the zoo's Wildlife Conservation Centre. The first chick had difficulty hatching and they had to assist. The second and third are clutch mates born to a pair who had been unsuccessful for 3 seasons. The third chick is being fostered by another pair who have always been good at incubating but didnt have a fertile egg of their own this year. All three chicks are doing well with their parents. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/whooping-cranes-calgary-zoo-chicks-1.6044145 Dinosaurs Awakened has opened at the zoo and features 26 life sized animatronic dinos. The exhibit will be open until Oct 31. You can now check out life-size dinosaurs at the Calgary Zoo | Curated
Wonderful news. How many whooping cranes are at Calgary Zoo now or is it just these 3 pairs + the 3 offspring? Where can I find further information on the release program with captive-born chicks?
A little more I found on the chicks. Breeding Endangered Whooping Cranes In A COVID Time | Calgary Zoo Calgary and their breeding facility are home to 26 cranes as well as the 3 new chicks. They have a green light to breed all but 9 birds (2 being immature females, the 2 eldest females and 5 surplus males). I do not know where you could get more info on the release program. You could reach out to the zoo itself and ask them if they could provide any info for you. Mountain goats Shannon and Yukon welcomed another kid in May.
Impressive numbers. I never knew the zoo maintained such a large group of whooping cranes in its offsite breeding facility.
The zoo has reopened some of its indoor spaces, Penguin Plunge, Savannah, Rainforest and ENMAX Conservatory for the first time in months. The river otter and komodo buildings will stay closed due to construction. Viewing has been adjusted for at risk species. The playgrounds are open, as are shops and restaurants. Calgary Zoo reopens some indoor animal habitats to visitors
A 9-year old male red river hog (Potamochoerus porcus) named Neosho has been send to Zoo de Granby this week. He arrived at the Calgary zoo from Kanas city zoo in 2013, since his arrival he fathered 10 offspring. Source: Instagram of Calgary Zoo (18/06/2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQOoyloLh_j/
