Search Results for: je

We talk a lot about the giant pandas “culming” bamboo, but what does that actually mean? Well, technically, nothing! “Culming” is a word we have made up for this behavior; you won’t find it in reference to giant pandas in any dictionary. However, in giant panda parlance, “culming” or “to culm” means to split apart … Continue reading "Panda Updates – Friday, January 22"

January is usually a quiet time for us here in the Elephant Department, and since nobody is around to see them in the cold mornings before the Zoo opens, we have zero qualms about taking advantage of our coworkers’ recalcitrance towards shifting out into the chilly habitats; we don’t really want to go outside either. … Continue reading "Winter mornings in the Zambezi Elephant Center"

Well, Zoo Atlanta had yet another banner year in producing major research publications in 2020! Our staff published 10 peer-reviewed articles on various lines of our research programs and collaborations. This brings our institutional total up to a minimum of 375 publications since 1978. Listed below are the complete citations and, in some cases, links … Continue reading "2020 was another banner year for research"

Hello everyone! When I first started writing this, I went down a pretty big rabbit hole as I wanted to talk about the origins and development of flight. Ultimately, that is a BIG topic and as I went through my deep dive into deep time, I realized I could focus on one story of flight. … Continue reading "The power of reptilian flight"

The giant pandas amaze me all the time, but one of the aspects I am most incredulous (and jealous) of is their ability to find a comfortable resting place wherever they are. While monitoring PandaCam, we see the giant pandas fast asleep or relaxing in all sorts of uncomfortable-looking contortions or perches. They sleep balanced … Continue reading "Panda Updates – Wednesday, January 13"

With the new year comes a new you, usually. And with 2020 having finally come to an end, I’m sure we are all hoping for a transformation to set us on the right path. Animals may not be able to recognize the turning of a year as we do (maybe our pets at home can … Continue reading "The salamander’s amazing transformation"

Hi, we’re Tiako and Lance. We are (drumroll please)… Lesser Madagascar hedgehog tenrecs. Wow, what a big name for small creatures such as ourselves, but what’s in a name? We are lesser hedgehog tenrec, but did you know there is a greater hedgehog tenrec? Although we have similar names, we are not closely related. We … Continue reading "We are not hedgehogs!"

A question that we hear frequently is “How do animals move from one zoo to another?” It’s actually a complex process involving lots of people, paperwork, emails, phone calls, vet consultations, and, of course, travel arrangements. I’ve been part of two animal transfers in my career. My first one was quite a big one! I … Continue reading "Panda Updates – Monday, December 21"

COVID-19 brought an extraordinarily challenging year for Zoo Atlanta and other zoos and wildlife organizations around the world, but the Zoo’s commitment to its animal programs never wavered. Even in the midst of a difficult 2020, Zoo Atlanta celebrated many memorable milestones in the lives of the animal population. Welcome Baloo and Bramble the binturongs … Continue reading "A year of animal highlights"

COVID-19 brought an extraordinarily challenging year for Zoo Atlanta and other zoos and wildlife organizations around the world, but the Zoo’s commitment to its animal programs never wavered. Even in the midst of a difficult 2020, Zoo Atlanta celebrated many memorable milestones in the lives of the animal population. Welcome Baloo and Bramble the binturongs … Continue reading "A year of animal highlights"