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We have a “secret” path we take when we feed and care for Idgie the red panda that is within our quarantine space so we don’t have to change our shoes. No other staff walks this path unless they’ve disinfected their shoes and are wearing booties. It also happens to be the quickest way to … Continue reading "Panda Updates – December, 12"

One question animal department folks often get asked is, how did we get here? For some, there is a relatively straightforward answer: “I was in college, I love animals, I got an internship at Zoo Atlanta (or whatever zoo), then there was a keeper position open, and I got it!” In some cases, their career … Continue reading "A keeper’s journey to the Zoo"

The 20-foot tree in Flamingo Plaza and festive décor around Zoo Atlanta are signs that the holiday break is here, but the arrival of winter also brings opportunities to appreciate the adaptations and behaviors of many of the Zoo’s most visible winter-weather animals. Chilean flamingo chicks: The nine Chilean flamingo chicks hatched in late summer … Continue reading "Winter’s a time to shine for cold-weather animals"

The 20-foot tree in Flamingo Plaza and festive décor around Zoo Atlanta are signs that the holiday break is here, but the arrival of winter also brings opportunities to appreciate the adaptations and behaviors of many of the Zoo’s most visible winter-weather animals. Chilean flamingo chicks: The nine Chilean flamingo chicks hatched in late summer … Continue reading "Winter’s a time to shine for cold-weather animals"

Due to the rainy weather recently, we weren’t able to use our outdoor habitats. When this happens we have one of the bears (or two if it’s Ya Lun and Xi Lun) spend the day behind the scenes with us. They really seem to enjoy the extra interaction with their care team, and we certainly … Continue reading "Panda Updates – Wednesday, December 19"

It’s about to be 2019, so you know what that means – New Year’s Resolutions! You’re probably resolving to hit the gym more, eat less chocolate and more vegetables, etc. Those are great resolutions, but maybe this year you could make resolutions that will help the world around you as well as yourself – Conservalutions! … Continue reading "New Year’s Conservalutions"

Winter is here, and as the temperatures and leaves continue to drop, many animals begin settling down for the cold season or migrate to their wintering areas. However, the coming of winter also brings one of the biggest bird-watching events of the year: the Christmas Bird Count. Previously at this time of year, hunters participated … Continue reading "One of the year’s biggest birding events"

As Heather mentioned previously, the twins are little bamboo-eating machines! Some of my favorite aspects of my job are the moments when we aren’t in a rush to feed another giant panda or wanting to take advantage of precious project time – moments when we simply sit with the pandas and build/strengthen our relationships while … Continue reading "Panda Updates – Monday, December 17"

In a previous post, we mentioned Xi Lun’s distaste for sugarcane. We joke in the giant panda building that sugarcane is where pandas harness all of their power from (not true, as it is just an occasional treat), so everyone was a bit surprised to find that she didn’t like it. Ya Lun, on the … Continue reading "Panda Updates – Friday, December 14"

We scientists don’t have much patience for myths, science fiction or pseudo-science. Postcards of jackalopes irritate our rational sensibilities. But sometimes it is really fun to dive into myths and such and try to discover a factual basis for these wild tales. Ask me about jackalopes, in fact, next time you see me! With this … Continue reading "Diving into myths for facts"