A new friend for Anakin: Zoo Atlanta welcomes Ua the warthog

In a year of warthog news on Zoo Atlanta’s African Savanna, Zoo Atlanta is pleased to welcome Ua, a 13-month-old female common warthog. Ua (pronounced Oooh-ah) arrived at the Zoo on June 24, 2026, from the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in California.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP) recommended Ua’s move to Zoo Atlanta, where she will be paired with another new arrival, 9-month-old male Anakin, who joined the animal population on April 28, 2026.

Ua and Anakin’s first meeting will not be for some weeks yet. Ua will complete a routine quarantine behind the scenes for about a month before moving to the Zoo’s warthog area. Anakin recently completed his quarantine period and will soon have a chance to explore his new African Savanna habitat. Introductions between animals are undertaken gradually based on the comfort level and behaviors of the individuals in question. The older adult female at Zoo Atlanta, Eleanor, will live independently of Anakin and Ua.

“We look forward to introducing both Ua and Anakin to our Members and guests and are excited for this opportunity for them and for us,” said Gina Ferrie, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation. “These are both young warthogs, so we’re excited to see them get to know one another and represent this iconic species together as they grow.”

Native to savannas, grasslands, and woodlands in sub-Saharan Africa, common warthogs are not currently threatened in the wild, largely thanks to their notable adaptability. Warthogs can inhabit a wide variety of habitats and are unique among all pig species in that they have adapted to graze.

Zoo Atlanta’s African Savanna is also home to African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, meerkats, southern white rhinos, African lions, blue cranes, and kori bustards – giving Members and guests an opportunity to become immersed in observing the wildlife of one of the planet’s most legendary wild places.

Learn more about warthogs or plan a visit at zooatlanta.org.

(Photo courtesy Fresno Chaffee Zoo)

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
rdavis@zooatlanta.org
404.624.2812

Gavin Johnson
Public Relations Manager
gjohnson@zooatlanta.org
404.624.5980

About Zoo Atlanta
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to hundreds of animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include a transformed African Savanna featuring expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostrich, warthogs, meerkats, and rhinos; one of North America’s largest populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include a newly updated African lion complex, opened in April 2025, and the state-of-the-art Rollins Animal Health Center, completed in 2024. In April 2026, Zoo Atlanta announced that through a new International Cooperative Research Agreement on Giant Panda Conservation, initiated between Zoo Atlanta and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, two new giant pandas will be traveling to Atlanta. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.