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Recently, I’ve been working on updating one of the structures in the outdoor giant panda habitats. The existing logs had aged and needed replacing, so I took those down. As I have had time, I’ve been adding fresh logs to the framing, which is still in great condition. I am not a builder by any … Continue reading "Panda Updates – Friday, November 22"

As animal care professionals, it is always our responsibility to constantly strive for new information and better ways to take care of the animals we work for. The animal care world is always evolving. As new methods and techniques arise, we share the information through workshops, conferences, papers, etc. I recently had the opportunity to … Continue reading "Learning something new"

Here at Zoo Atlanta we have two climate-controlled dayrooms and two outdoor habitats that are visible to our guests. In addition to our behind-the-scenes den areas, we also have a behind-the-scenes habitat. This habitat is different from the other two, in that we allow the bamboo and other plants to grow freely in the area. … Continue reading "Panda Updates – Wednesday, November 20"

When you think of habitat loss, you tend to imagine rainforests or coral reefs on the other side of the world. While those habitats are certainly struggling, the forests, plains, rivers and oceans around the United States aren’t immune to habitat loss either. Building new homes, farms and roads for humans takes away habitats from … Continue reading "Certify your garden to fight habitat loss"

Can you feel it? If you have lived in Georgia or even in the southeastern United States, you know exactly what I’m referring to. No, it’s not that holly jolly feeling you can sense welling up in your belly. It’s not even the preemptive grumbling your stomach is making anticipating that Thanksgiving feast. That feeling, … Continue reading "Helping birds stay warm"

We occasionally offer browse items (plants approved by our Veterinary and Horticulture Teams) to the giant pandas as a form of enrichment. This provides the chance for them to investigate something they don’t encounter every day. Historically, Yang Yang has enjoyed eating mulberry when offered to him, and he will even harvest his own if … Continue reading "Panda Updates – Monday, November 18"

We always like to try and have Xi Lun and Ya Lun out in one of our climate-controlled dayrooms during the weekend or during busy times because we know how much our guests love to see them and catch a glimpse of some of their playful antics, but it’s always nice to give them the … Continue reading "Panda Update – Friday, November 15"

If you haven’t been by to visit lately, the African elephants now have some new, tiny neighbors in the all-new African Savanna, the slender-tailed meerkats! “Old man” Blaze and four younger male meerkats, Kingsley, Littlefoot, Spike and Petrie, recently moved into their new, expansive habitats on Tembo Trek. Kingsley is the uncle of 1-year-old brothers … Continue reading "Meet the Meerkats!"

It’s looks like fall finally showed up here in the Southeast! Fall is a fascinating time of year for reptiles and amphibians. In fact, for many species, the summer to fall transition is baby time and for some others, it’s the “Season of Love.” Some pit vipers, like timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) and copperheads (Agkistrodon … Continue reading "Fascinating behaviors of fall"

Grant is largest show of federal support to date for the effort to target cardiac health in gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees and bonobos. The Great Ape Heart Project headquartered at Zoo Atlanta has been selected to receive a 2019 National Leadership Grants for Museums award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). At $619,044, … Continue reading "Great Ape Heart Project awarded fourth IMLS grant"