 |
Year Of The Frog
Did you know that frogs, toads, salamanders and newts are going extinct! In fact, it is estimated that at least one-third of all known amphibian species are threatened with extinction. In effort to address the extinction crisis the Association of Zoos and Aquariums has made 2008 as the Year of the Frog. |
Return to Top
There Is So Much To Do At The Zoo!
The zoo is still under going renovation and
things are being improved and added daily. We
would like to invite everyone to visit us and explore all that the zoo has to offer. |
 |
Return to Top
 |
New Additions
We would like to introduce Ruby the reindeer, to the zoo family – She was donated from the Omaha Zoo in December. She is the first of a few reindeer that we are planning to add to the zoo’s collection.
We have a new Mob of 5 Grey Kangaroo and 2 African Crowned Cranes which were donated from the Glady’s Porter Zoo in Texas. |
Return to Top
New Primate House Open
The Washington Park Zoo has a totally renovated Primate house. Gone are the bars and tiled walls, making way for more natural exhibits with glass fronts for the up close view.
The primate building originally opened in 1930’s, the historic primate house once was lined with small, sterile cages and steel bars which was typical of the first zoos. However, now that this year long renovation of the building’s interior and exterior is completed, we will have four naturalistic exhibits that replicate the native habitats of the primates that make their home at Washington Park Zoo today. The large outdoor habitat “monkey island” will provide additional play space for the Zoo’s new Spider monkeys.
Return to Top
We Have Twins!
We are pound to announce the arrival twin cotton top Tamarins, born April 18, 2008. These small monkeys are currently being house in the Rotary Castle until the opening of the new Primate House.
These zoo has a family colony of seven adult tamarins and everybody is a helper, carrying the young on their backs, feeding them once they have been weaned and will engage them in play. |
 |
Return to Top
|
Keepers Hatch Baby Emu
After past attempts by the male to hatch the laid eggs without success the zoo staff decided to place the eggs in an incubator to see if they would have better luck. Since April 2008 the zoo has had four babies.
Usually the male builds the nest into which the
female will lay 5 to 15 large, blue-green eggs at 2 to 4
day intervals. Each egg weighs 1 to 1.5 pounds.
Incubation of the eggs is done by the male and typically starts after the last egg is laid so that all the eggs hatch
close together about 56 days later. The female takes no
part in incubation or in the rearing of the chicks. The male
will continue to protect and feed the chicks for 5 to 7 months
and at times longer. In the meantime, the female may have moved on
and mated with another male, again leaving incubation and chick care to this second mate.
What Is An Emu?
- Emu are the largest bird native to Australia.
- It is also the second-largest extant bird in the world by height, after its ratite relative, the ostrich.
- They have soft-feathered, brown, flightless birds and reach up to 6.5 ft in height.
|
Return to Top
Washington Park Zoo Is Happy To Announce Our Newest Arrivals
On June 7th 2008, the zoo welcomed the birth of two bobcat kittens. The kittens are currently being cared for by their mother in a holding area, so they are not not on display. |
 |
Return to Top
www.washingtonparkzoo.com
|
