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Proceeds raised from her naming will benefit field conservation programs for wild gorillas The infant born to western lowland gorilla Kudzoo on September 18, 2016, has been named Mijadala. The moniker emerged as the winner in a public vote from Tuesday, January 31 through Monday, February 6, and raised more funds for gorilla conservation than … Continue reading "Meet Mijadala"

Wild orangutans have incredibly interesting diets. They have been observed eating a wide variety of foods including leaves, bark, flowers, termites, as well as soil for the essential minerals it can supply. But the main staple of their daily diet is fruit. Because of this, we classify orangutans as fruit eaters, or “frugivores.” Wild orangutans … Continue reading "Tuesday, January 31"

Our after-hours night shift in the panda nursery has officially come to an end. This is a great milestone for the cubs and for us, as the cubs are doing well enough and Lun Lun is experienced enough that we felt it was the right time to move forward with this step. Lun Lun has … Continue reading "Panda Update – Mon. January 30"

Just the other day, I was stopped by a guest at the Zoo who asked me where our black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) Kobe was located. She said that he was her favorite snake, and seeing him was the whole purpose of her visit that day! Sadly, I had to report to her that the mamba … Continue reading "Keeper Stories – Thursday, January 26"

A keeper’s job is never done. There is always a chore to complete or a project to work on. Our daily routine is full of jobs like cleaning habitats, preparing diets, observing our animals, providing enrichment…are you tired yet? In between all of this, we try to find time to develop ourselves professionally. There are … Continue reading "Keeper Stories – Tuesday, January 24"

It’s about time again for a giraffe training update! I believe when we last checked in, all but our oldest, Abu, were shifting through our giraffe “tamer” apparatus. We are very proud to announce that all four of our boys are now confidently walking though the chute system. We have been successful in getting them … Continue reading "Keeper Stories – Thursday, January 19"

Did you survive the snow-pocalypse 2.0? It wasn’t as bad as the first go round, but we still had enough ice that the Zoo was closed. But what actually happens when the Zoo closes down for bad weather like a snowstorm? It is not all that different from a normal day for us keepers. The … Continue reading "Keeper Stories – Tuesday, January 17"

One of the nation’s foremost experts in his field, Joe was among the first responders to the crisis of global amphibian decline and is responsible for the naming of more than 40 new amphibian and reptile species. His research initiatives include biodiversity surveys in Latin America; biomechanics; natural history, ecological and taxonomic studies; and research and program development related to amphibian conservation. He is Past President of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, the world’s largest academic herpetological society, and is an Adjunct Professor of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech University, where he teaches and supervises student research. He ... Continue reading Joe Mendelson, PhD

Jodi has been working with primates for over 19 years, most of them at Zoo Atlanta, with a keen interest in western lowland gorillas. Prior to joining Zoo Atlanta, she worked with primates at Zoo Miami and the Pittsburgh Zoo. Jodi is a member of the Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP) Management Group and the Gorilla Behavior Advisory Group. She has also worked to raise support for Zoo Atlanta’s longtime partner in gorilla conservation, The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International and has led trips to Africa to observe mountain gorillas. Jodi has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from ... Continue reading Jodi Carrigan

A native of England, James moved to the U.S. in the 1980s. His zoological career began at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Center, where he oversaw the management of more than 2,500 birds. Prior to joining Zoo Atlanta in 2001, he served as Senior Keeper of Birds at the Baltimore Zoo. James’s tenure at Zoo Atlanta has seen the additions of The Living Treehouse; Outback Station; Boundless Budgies: A Parakeet Adventure; and the bird propagation center opened in 2009. James has a degree in Geology from the University of Nottingham, U.K.