May the Fourth be with him: Zoo Atlanta welcomes Anakin the warthog

May the Fourth carries special significance at Zoo Atlanta this year, thanks to a special new arrival with an interstellar name. Zoo Atlanta is excited to welcome Anakin, an 8-month-old male common warthog. Anakin arrived at the Zoo on April 28, 2026, from the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Florida.

Anakin’s move to Atlanta was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP). He has been recommended to pair with a young female warthog who will arrive in coming months from another AZA organization. On another recommendation of the SSP, male warthog Hamlet recently left Zoo Atlanta
for an exciting new chapter at a fellow AZA-accredited institution. The Zoo remains home to adult female warthog Eleanor.

“When people think of Africa’s iconic savanna wildlife, warthogs are some of the first animals that come to mind,” said Gina Ferrie, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation. “Like all savanna animals, they inspire us to appreciate the biodiversity and interconnectedness of some of the planet’s most famous wild places. We look forward to introducing Anakin to our Members and guests.”

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.

Anakin will have an opportunity to settle in behind the scenes before exploring his new habitat in the Zoo’s African Savanna, which is also home to many other icons of this legendary landscape, including African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, meerkats, southern white rhinos, and African lions.

Stay tuned for updates on when Zoo Members and guests will be able to meet Anakin. Learn more about warthogs or plan a visit at zooatlanta.org.

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. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.