Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2015

To save people time: https://www.facebook.com/nationalzo...1432169052./10153269865132902/?type=3&theater

 

It brings me pleasure to share a link of the zoo's tamanduas photos and video: Cayenne and Manny the southern tamanduas - National Zoo

 

Sorry I've never used facebook and stuff like that so I don't know how it works i'm a noob.

 

This is from the zoo's facebook

"We hope you’re enjoying the Zoo’s animal cams! We’re sorry to announce that the software running some of our older cameras will no longer be supported and must be taken offline. The naked mole rat cam, clouded leopard cam, orangutan cam, fishing cat cam, and Asian small-clawed otter cam will go dark on June 1, 2015. Please note that the panda, lion and elephant cams are not affected and will stream without interruption. We’re exploring new technology and funding opportunities to expand online viewing in the future. Be sure to follow us on social media for the latest updates."

 

Spider tortoise-hatching :
Rare Tortoise Hatches at Smithsonian's National Zoo - ZooBorns

 

According to a newsletter I got from the zoo the Chinese alligator laid 24 eggs this year

Also in that newsletter it there is a section called "We're expecting" and you can donate to the zoo to help them with all the animals expecting to give birth I couldn't find anything about these animals giving birth except for in this newsletter so I thought I would list them off.

Cuban Crocodile
False Water Cobra
Flamingos
Roseate Spoonbills
Stanley Crane
Micronesian Kingfishers
Gibbon
Orangutan
Chevrotain
Red Ruffed Lemur
Black Footed Ferret
Golden Headed Lion Tamarin
Fishing Cat
Sloth Bear
Clouded Leopards
Cheetahs
Scimitar Horned Oryx
Addra Gazelle
Persian Onager
Red pandas
and a possible sibling for Bao Bao

I don't know if some of these animals have already given birth or are even confirmed to be pregnant this is just what was under 2015 births. Also sorry for the long post.

 

This hasn't happened yet, but the zoo is planning on breeding elephants Kandula with Maharani. I thought I would mention it since you are talking about breeding and its on topic. Maharani has had miscairrages before, so there is no worry about her being over 25 years old for when they mate.

 

Aren't they related? I'm pretty sure Rani's mom, Kamala, is Kandula's paternal grandmother, therefore making Rani his aunt.

 

Are you sure? Where did you see that? If thats true, then they should probably get Kandula out of there and bring in a different male, as sad as that would be.

 

I heard that Bozie was being evaluated as a possible mate for Kandula as well. She was supposed to undergo a fertility assessment and also she got very excited when she encountered Kandula's poop when she had her introduction to the herd. Does anyone know how that went or is her being bred now out of the question? I understand she has a daughter and grandchildren in Houston, so this wouldn't be her first breeding but at the same time her genes have already been passed on so it isn't the end of the world if she isn't.

 

Kandula is related to Maharani. I believe they are nephew and aunt as well so breeding would be a very bad idea between these two.

That being said Maharani was with former mate Spike until his departure from Calgary. It is possible she is currently a year or so into a pregnancy. Nothing 100% on that but breeding was observed prior to Spike leaving. They never had much trouble getting pregnant. The problems happened once she gave birth or thereafter.

 

Indeed. Kamala had two calves with a male named Bandara while at Calgary, those calves being Chanda and Maharani.

Chanda is Kandula's father, making Rani and Kandula full aunt and nephew. As such, they would most certainly NOT be breeding that particular pair.

Additionally, Rani has not had any miscarriages. She has had 2 live born calves, and a single premature stillborn.

 

Sounds like you are getting dubious information.

 

Ok sorry. I wonder why they got that Calgary herd if Kandula can't breed with any of them. It might of been smarter to move those elephants to a different zoo, unless they move Kandula to get a new bull, or supposedly breed him with Bozie like Wensleydale said bwfore

 

I have it on good authority that Kandula is being moved West to breed with several unrelated females and a bull will be moving to National to breed the young Calgary female. No other females at National are being considered for breeding except the young female

 

Oh I will miss seeing him, but glad he is going else where to pass on his genes.

 

I saw this in the email newsletter too and it was a bit confusing! At first it had a picture and mentioned in the headline of a gorilla expecting, but it was not on the list. I'm also curious about some animals, like the sloth bear, when breeding season hasn't even begun between Hanna and Francois this year. I hope orangutan and chevrotain is accurate, I'd love to see those babies!

 

Kandula is a very, very special elephant. I will miss him too.

 

I know right! The whole gorilla thing confused me as well. Also I do hope all the animals listed are accurate I would love seeing all those animals with little babies and I really hope we get to see a sibling for Bao Bao while shes still at the zoo.

 

With all the chat about elephants at the zoo, here is a video on the zoos work to protect young elephants.

http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/43089/title/TS-Live--Elephant-Herpes/