ZOO to YOU
Catch up with the latest news at LRZ with articles, press releases, and other fun updates
written and created by Zoo Staff.
Zoo Mourns Passing of Bactrian Camel
Zoo Welcomes New Ambassador Animals
Images: On the left, "Woody" the blue-fronted amazon parrot, on the right, "Jupiter" the eastern screech owl.
What has the Conservation Awareness Team at the Lee Richardson Zoo all a-twitter? Why it is new ambassador animals! Ambassador animals join the Conservation Awareness Team to engage the public in our Zoo’s conservation awareness and educational efforts.
While living behind the scenes and in training, two birds have joined the Lee Richardson Zoo’s ambassador roster. A 20-year-old, male blue-fronted amazon parrot named “Woodstock” or “Woody” for short was the first to join. While tropical in sound, blue-fronted amazon parrots are from the dry woodlands and savannas in South America, making them well-suited for our Kansas zoo.
The second addition is Jupiter, a 6-year-old female eastern screech owl. These small owls inhabit most of eastern North America, spanning from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic coast and from southern Canada down to Florida and southern Texas. They are highly adaptable to a variety of habitats, including forests, parks, and even suburban areas.
Both Woody and Jupiter have already forged relationships with keepers and conservation awareness staff. Although both birds have habitats located behind the scenes, Zoo fans will be able to see them while attending Conservation Awareness Programs or occasionally during special events.
Welcome Woody, and Jupiter!
Zoo Mourns Passing of Bactrian Camel
New Gibbon Swings into Town
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Image: "Tangra" a female northern white cheeked gibbon rests inside her habitat located in the Zoo's Wild Asia area.
Lee Richardson Zoo has welcomed a new species. Female northern white-cheeked gibbon, “Tangra,” recently arrived from Lincoln Children’s Zoo thanks to a Species Survival Plan (SSP) recommendation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). A male companion will join Tangra once the temperatures are appropriate for his travel.
White-cheeked gibbons are classified as lesser apes. Unlike the much bigger and bulkier great apes, gibbons are slender, diminutive, and more arboreal, and weigh on average under 20 pounds. Gibbons have the longest arms in proportion to their legs of any primate. Their arms are about 1 ½ times as long as their legs, an adaptation that suits gibbons perfectly for their preferred form of locomotion, brachiation. Gibbons move quickly and gracefully through the canopy of trees by swinging on the underside of branches, arm over arm. They typically live in male-female pairs with offspring, and pairs display a duetting call that helps them bond, locate one another, and advertise territory.
Northern white-cheeked gibbons are found primarily in the tropical and sub-tropical forests of Laos, and in some small pockets in Vietnam. Due to various human threats, the population has declined to fewer than 2,000 individuals worldwide. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies them as Critically Endangered.
Tangra is a very sweet and engaging gibbon who is fascinated and interested in people. You can see her in her outdoor habitat in the Zoo’s Wild Asia.
Stop by Lee Richardson Zoo soon to see Tangra in her new home and learn more about the species, or call us at 620-276-1250.
Meet Sylvia the Stanley Crane
- Emily Sexson, Communication Specialist
Image: "Sylvia" the Stanley crane explores her habitat at the Lee Richardson Zoo.
There’s a very special lady who resides at the Lee Richardson Zoo. While her habitat mates flaunt their flamboyant crowns and call out loudly to each other, she walks through the tall grass almost silently. Her beautiful silvery bluish-gray body often blends into her surroundings. She has dark gray wingtips and extra-long tertial feathers that dangle nearly to the ground. Her name? Sylvia. Her species? Stanley crane.
Stanley cranes are also known as blue cranes or paradise cranes. Most crane species, like Sylvia’s habitat mates, the African crowned crane, possess red patches of scaly skin on their heads that they use for threat displays. Stanley cranes, along with their close relatives, the demoiselle crane, do not have these red patches but instead have head feathers that become erect when excited or threatened.
Sylvia stands around three and a half feet tall and has a nearly six-foot wingspan. Her species is native to South Africa, with a small population residing in Namibia. This crane has the smallest range of any crane species. Stanley cranes are the national bird of South Africa. Both the Xhosa and Zulu tribes of Africa revere the Stanley crane. Zulu royalty were the only tribe members traditionally allowed to wear Stanley crane feathers. Only warriors in the Xhosa tribe were permitted to wear Stanley crane feathers into battle.
Unlike larger cranes, Stanley cranes are more terrestrial, prefer grasslands to wetland habitats, and will nest at high elevations. Their shorter toes are better suited for running on solid ground, while other crane species that inhabit wetter areas have longer toes for walking on soft mud. A slightly shorter beak allows Stanley cranes to forage more efficiently in the grass for seeds, insects, and small prey animals.
Sylvia’s habitat is in the African Plains portion of the Zoo; it neighbors the addax habitat and is across the road from the African lions. Sylvia shares her habitat with four male East African crowned cranes, a slightly larger species of crane that as their name implies, have a crown of golden feathers on the top of their heads. In addition to the Stanley and East African crowned cranes, Africa is home to two other resident species of crane, the wattled crane and the black crowned crane. Migratory species such as the demoiselle or Eurasian crane may overwinter in Africa.
Stanley cranes are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources due to habitat loss caused by residential and commercial development, agriculture, and mining. We can prevent further disturbances in habitats worldwide by reusing and recycling what we already have, instead of needing more resources for new items. To learn more about crane conservation and how we can help, visit the International Crane Foundation at www.savingcranes.org.
Don’t let Sylvia’s demure appearance stop you from taking a moment to admire her during your next Zoo visit. There is true beauty in her simple features, and her calm demeanor can be very comforting in our fast-paced world. Time in nature is never wasted, and the Zoo is the perfect place to slow down and soak in the natural world. The Zoo is currently open from 8 am to 7 pm.
2025 Employee of the 2nd Quarter
Photo: Emily Sexson holds up her certificate for Employee of the 2nd Quarter.
Congratulations to Emily Sexson for being recognized as the Lee Richardson Zoo's Employee of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2025.
To acknowledge her efforts and outstanding performance, Jarrett was nominated for this award by fellow zoo employees.
Emily is the Zoo's Communication Specialist.
Thank you Emily for your dedication and hard work!
Zoo Mourns Passing of Bactrian Camel
New Conservation Awareness Manager at LRZ
Image: Conservation Awareness Manager, Alice Nelson.
Lee Richardson Zoo has a new Conservation Awareness Manager. Alice Nelson was promoted to fill this key leadership role at the Zoo. Alice began her employment with the Zoo as an Education Specialist in 2021. In her new role, she will be responsible for guiding staff and volunteers of the Zoo’s Conservation Awareness Team as well as educational programming and public engagement.
"I am looking forward to leading the Conservation Awareness Team and working closely with our community members to create new programs! I am hoping to build connections with our currently more under-reached members of Garden City and provide them with a uniquely zoo point of view. If this sounds exciting to you, too, feel free to contact me,” said Alice.
For more information about the zoo’s educational opportunities, you can contact Alice directly at alice.nelson@gardencityks.us, visit our website at www.leerichardsonzoo.org/education-services, or call us at 620-276-1250.
Celebrating World Snake Day
- Emily Sexson, Communication Specialist
Image: "Gizmo" the green tree python rests coiled up on a limb in their habitat located in the Nocturnal House in Wild Asia. Photo by John Anderson, Lead Keeper.
World Snake Day is celebrated annually on July 16th. The day offers an opportunity to celebrate snakes and raise awareness about their preservation. This year we will be celebrating with our 3rd Annual World Snake Day Coloring Contest! The contest is for Zoo fans ages 12 and under. Coloring sheets and more details about the contest, ending July 23rd, are available in person at the Finnup Center for Conservation Education or online on our website at www.leerichardsonzoo.org. Because yes, even those legless, slithering animals that strike fear in many deserve recognition for the vital role they play in ecosystems across the globe. Snakes are threatened by the same issues that all wildlife face, such as habitat loss and disease, but negative attitudes and misunderstanding may be the biggest threat against them.
Forestry Engineer, Baba Dioum, is famously quoted for saying “In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.” So, what can we do for snakes who so many seem to not only dislike, but outright hate? We can start by sharing facts about these animals and the good they do for our planet. While you may not fall in love with snakes by the end of this article, I am hopeful you can at least appreciate what they offer.
Snakes are some of the most effective and all-natural pest control. Snakes eat the pests that raid our crops and gardens. One mating pair of rodents can produce hundreds of offspring, and snakes play a vital role in controlling rodent populations. Snakes don’t carry plague or Lyme disease that can spread to humans, but they sure can eat the pests that do!
There are about 3,000 snake species worldwide but only 10% to 15% of them are venomous. Venom is a mixture of toxins and enzymes that is used to subdue prey and for defense. Venom is a rich resource for bioactive compounds that are being explored for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and other various health issues.
According to the National Library of Medicine, “Venomous snakebites generally occur when venomous snakes (most commonly pit vipers) are cornered or startled by humans. Increased interest in warm weather outdoor activities like hiking, backpacking, and fishing, as well as the increasing number of venomous snakes being kept as pets, has increased the number of venomous snakebites in recent decades.“ The best thing anyone can do to avoid being bitten by a snake is to be aware of their surroundings and to simply leave wildlife alone.
The Zoo currently cares for four species of snake including two native species, a bullsnake, also known as a gopher snake, named “Belvedere” as well as a milk snake named “Frederick”. “Monty” the ball python is native to west and central Africa while “Gizmo” the green tree python can be found in New Guinea, some islands of Indonesia, and a small portion of Australia. Frederick, Belvedere, and Monty join the Zoo’s Conservation Awareness Team in educational programs and reside in the Finnup Center for Conservation Education. Gizmo has a habitat located inside the nocturnal house in Wild Asia. Snakes are a wonderful example of our planet’s biodiversity and play important roles in their ecosystems around the world.
For more information about the World Snake Day Coloring Contest, give us a call at 620-276-1250, visit our website www.leerichardsonzoo.org, or shoot me an email directly at emily.sexson@gardencityks.us.
Zoo Mourns Passing of Bactrian Camel
Zoo Mourns Loss of Eastern Black Rhinoceros
Image: "Jabari" a male eastern black rhinoceros stands in the pachyderm pool inside the rhino habitat at the Lee Richardson Zoo.
Staff at the Lee Richardson Zoo are mourning the loss of eastern black rhinoceros “Jabari”. On the morning of Friday, July 11th, Animal Care Staff entered the rhino barn to find the Zoo’s eldest male rhino deceased. A necropsy (animal autopsy) was performed, and the final results are pending.
Jabari was born in 2013 and arrived at the Zoo in May of 2016 as part of the Association of Zoo & Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Eastern Black Rhinoceros, a critically endangered species. The SSP matched Jabari with resident female rhino “Johari”. The pair was a success and welcomed their son “Ayubu” in January of 2021.
“Jabari was definitely a favorite for many staff and guests. He was a gentle giant who absolutely loved melons and pumpkins. He would eat the whole thing in a matter of minutes. He will be greatly missed,” said Animal Keeper Jarrett Ho.
Black rhinos can currently be found in 12 countries in Africa with fewer than 6,500 individuals remaining in the wild. Populations of black rhinos decreased by 96% between 1970 and 1993, due to poaching. Rhinos are illegally hunted due to the demand for their horn (which is made of keratin, the same material as your hair and fingernails) on the black market. Since 1996, conservation efforts, including intense anti-poaching efforts and translocation to safer areas, have allowed the species to slowly recover.
June's Staff Pic of the Month
June's Staff Pic of the Month Winner was Logan S. with their submission of this photo of one of the jaguars.
The Pic of the Month winners are selected by the Zoo's Advisory Board during their monthly meetings.
Congratulations Logan!
The Rarest of the Rare, in Human Care
- Houston Glover, Conservation Awareness Coordinator
Image: A pair of Goeldi's monkeys rest in their habitat located in the Zoo's aviary.
One of the incredible things about working in the zoo field is that every zoo is home to its own unique assortment of species. Some of the most popular species, like lions and ring-tailed lemurs, are quite common in zoos, and can be seen in over a hundred animal care facilities across the United States. But others are much rarer, and often it is those rarer species that make a zoo unique. Today, I want to highlight a few species here at Lee Richardson Zoo that are not common in US zoos, and who perhaps deserve a turn in the spotlight. For all of the following species, Lee Richardson Zoo is not only the only place in Kansas to see that animal, but one of the only zoos to house it in the entire United States.
First, there are our tiny primate friends, the Goeldi’s Monkeys. These squirrel-sized simians are among the rarest monkeys in North American zoos, and can be found in only seventeen zoos in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), including ours. When you factor in that there are well over 200 AZA facilities in the United States, that really puts into perspective how special it is that there are two Goeldi’s Monkeys in Garden City. See if you can spot them in the rainforest habitat in the aviary on your next visit.
Rarer still is “Mindy,” our resident Indian Sarus Crane. Sarus cranes are the tallest flighted bird in the world and are quite impressive to see. They were once more common in American zoos but have been mostly phased out in recent years due to low breeding success, and in order to focus on some of the more endangered crane species, like whooping cranes and African crowned cranes. According to the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), Lee Richardson Zoo is one of only eight facilities in the US to house Indian Sarus cranes. Stop by Wild Asia on your next visit to catch a glimpse of this rarity.
While in Wild Asia, be sure to see the Chinese goral. Gorals are an odd, goat-like animal from the mountain forests of eastern Asia. Not quite sheep, not quite deer, their unusual appearance certainly leaves an impression. But what is perhaps more unique than the goral’s appearance is the fact that they’re here at all. Gorals are found in only eight zoos in the country, including Saint Louis, Los Angeles, and the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park in Omaha.
But the rarest creature in the Zoo is also one of the newest: the Desert Bighorn Sheep. Last year, Lee Richardson Zoo became one of only seven zoos, not only in the country, but on earth (according to ZIMS) to house this desert-dwelling subspecies. Bighorns in general are not particularly common zoo animals, but the desert bighorns are especially uncommon, both in zoos and in the wild. Desert bighorn numbers have fallen dramatically in the last hundred years, with current populations estimated to be only 10% of their historical size. They face threats like habitat fragmentation, disease, and competition with livestock, and without human intervention ,could very realistically face extinction within the next hundred years.
We encourage you to visit all of these uncommon zoo animals here at Lee Richardson Zoo, but also to visit other zoos to see what unique creatures they have. Next time you travel across Kansas, be sure to stop in at one of our fellow AZA-accredited zoos, in Salina, Hutchinson, Wichita, Manhattan, Emporia, or Topeka. There’s something different to see at each and every one of them!
Enjoying the Summer at the Zoo
- Kristi Newland, Zoo Director
Image: "Graham" the alpaca cools off by standing over a water sprinkler.
The Lee Richardson Zoo is a popular place to be this time of year. Some may even say it’s the “hot” place to be. Not just because it’s fun, but also because, let’s face it, it’s summertime in Kansas and it can get hot out there. Please be summer-smart while visiting the Zoo. Be sure to drink plenty of water as you go around and enjoy the shady spots along the way.
The zoo residents will be doing similar activities to deal with the heat – enjoying pools, sprinklers, ice treats, resting in the shade, drinking water, etc... Animal Care staff make sure all animals have access to shade and fresh water. Zoo residents have drinking water at all times unless they’re on water restrictions due to a veterinary procedure, but that’s a topic for another time. Sometimes, to make a habitat look more natural, staff may hide rubber, plastic, or metal water containers from public view. Rest assured, whether you can see it or not, the animals always have drinking water, and that’s especially important when it’s hot. Plumbing problems and even cleaning necessities can sometimes cause pools in the habitats to be empty temporarily. In those rare cases, staff take steps to make sure the animals have other options than the pool to help them deal with the heat.
Shade is an element included in each outdoor habitat, whether provided by trees, caves, hollow logs, tall grasses, shade tarps, or structures that have been constructed in the area. Additional shade options may be offered by giving zoo residents access to their indoor quarters. Those who are native to colder climates, such as red pandas, snow leopards, and Amur leopards, are usually the first to be resting inside their indoor quarters, enjoying the added coolness provided by those facilities. While this may take the animal out of view of our guests periodically, it’s for the health of the animal involved. Each species has different temperature guidelines and staff use those to help ensure the well-being of the residents.
During the summer, many of us do most of our outdoor activities early in the morning before the day warms up or later in the day when it starts cooling down. These are also the most active times for the zoo residents this time of year. During the heat of the day, most of the residents simply find a comfortable spot and take a nap or they hang out watching those passing by.
Zoo guests who are ‘enjoying the heat’ have a chance to step inside somewhere cooler, such as the Safari Shoppe, to get a refreshing drink or slushie. There’s also the Wild Dog Stop offering Dippin’ Dots and snow cones for your cooling pleasure.
Many zoo residents receive ice-based enrichment items too. How about a smeltcicle? While it may not sound enticing to you or me, many of the residents find it very enjoyable. Some curl up next to a frozen 2-liter bottle, sort of a hot water bottle in reverse. Zoo staff also schedule activities for the resident animals around the temperatures of the day. Unless it’s an emergency, outdoor veterinary and husbandry procedures occur during the cooler temperatures of a summer day or are even postponed until a cooler day, if possible. Doing such procedures when it’s hot may increase the stress felt by the resident (and the staff) when they’re already dealing with the heat.
Please remember to consider your pets during the heat of summer, also. Leaving them in your car or truck can be very dangerous, even fatal, for them. Even with the window, or all the windows, cracked, it still gets too hot for them. The metal bed of a truck or even hot pavement can burn their paws. Just like the animals at the zoo, pets need water, shade, a mister or a fan, or access to indoor quarters when it gets too hot.
Heatstroke can affect animals just like humans. If your pet shows symptoms (excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, lack of coordination, etc..), get them into the shade immediately and call your veterinarian. Offer them water to drink, apply a cold towel or ice pack to the head, neck, and chest, or immerse the animals in lukewarm (not cold) water to lower their body temperature gradually.
Summer is here, and even though it gets hot, you can still enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Even though the afternoons may be toasty, be sure to visit the Lee Richardson Zoo when you have a chance. It’s a nice way to spend time with visitors from out of town, get out of the house with the kids, or just commune with nature on your own. The Zoo is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Stay safe and enjoy your summer while being smart about the heat!
To stay up to date with Zoo happenings, please visit our website (leerichardsonzoo.org) or Facebook page.
Zoo Mourns Passing of Bactrian Camel
Red Ruffed Lemur Pup Names Announced
Image: Two red ruffed lemur pups snuggle up to mom Sorsha at either side while the third pup nurses with mom in the center.
After a week of voting, the three red ruffed lemur pups born at the Lee Richardson Zoo have names! Zoo Staff would like to thank the 330 individuals who voted either in person or online. The public has chosen “Baobob”, “Ocotea”, and “Ramy” for the triplets. Zoo Staff presented a ballot of three themes, each with Malagasy words inspired by the pup’s native country, Madagascar. The winning names were from the “Tree Theme”. Baobobs are known as the “tree of life” and are an iconic tree of Madagascar. Ocotea trees are a common food source for lemurs, and Ramy are a notably tall tree native to the forests in which red ruffed lemurs live.
Brothers Baobob, Ocotea, and Ramy reside in Primate Forest - Lemurs!, sharing a habitat with older siblings Mafy, Toky, and Zo, as well as Mom, Dad, and Uncle. The Zoo is also home to black and white ruffed and ring-tailed lemurs. There are over one hundred species of lemur and they are all native exclusively to the island of Madagascar.
Red ruffed lemurs are critically endangered due to threats including deforestation, hunting, and trapping. Visit Primate Forest – Lemurs! at the Lee Richardson Zoo to learn more about this species and how we can help conserve these amazing primates! The Zoo is currently open daily from 8 am to 7 pm.
Behind the Curtain of Enrichment
- Alice Nelson, Education Specialist
Image: Zoo Keeper Josh Bazdar works on weaving fire-hose to create enrichment for animal residents at the Lee Richardson Zoo.
Many of our guests are familiar with Lee Richardson Zoo; likewise, many of us are familiar with the Wizard of Oz. Behind the curtain of animal care at the Zoo may be a little different from a phony magician, but it is, nonetheless, magical. So, what goes on behind the scenes at the Zoo?
Building and placing enrichment may seem like an odd part of most keepers’ days. However, enrichment items that encourage animals to use their senses or engage in normal species behaviors play an important role in our residents’ lives. Enriching animals’ lives is not as easy as just throwing a tennis ball into their habitat and hoping for the best. Each type of animal has different requirements for “toys”. The tennis ball, for example, is too small for the lions, as they may eat it and it could potentially cause a blockage that would require surgery to be extracted. In a similar vein, a tennis ball is too large for an Amazon Milk Frog to interact with safely. Keepers must consider the size of the item and the size of any holes on the item; this helps prevent ingestion injuries and injuries from getting part of them entrapped in the item.
Keepers need to know what material makes up each item. Is that material toxic to the animal? Is the material too hard for the animals’ teeth? Can the material be safely cleaned? Will the cleaners affect the integrity of the material? Will the item, if broken, fall into sharp or otherwise dangerous particles? If intended to be digested, like special food items or sometimes cardboard, will it affect the nutrition the animal must get daily? Will it cause stomach upset or other illnesses? Will the animal like the taste? Will the essential oils of the herbs burn the skin of the animal? Will the scent of an herb, spice, or even perfume affect the animal’s behavior negatively? Will the saps and oils from tree woods affect the health of animals who come in contact with them? And many other questions.
Placement of enrichment also has many considerations. Is the enrichment too close to the water? Water may disintegrate or destroy the enrichment. Enrichment may also simply sink, which, depending on the animal type, may make the enrichment impossible to interact with. Is the enrichment hung too high in the habitat? Could an animal get hurt by the string, rope, chain, or other material that the enrichment was secured with? If the animal has a negative reaction to the enrichment, is it placed in such a way that they can no longer access food, water, or shelter without interacting or getting close to the enrichment item? Many enrichment items are considered carefully before being approved for each animal individually, as even within species, some animals have different needs than their species conspecifics. After the approval process, the enrichment is only placed with the animal under supervision the first few times so that the keepers can monitor any negative interactions. Keepers evaluate the effectiveness of all enrichment given out every time to see if it encourages the animal to use more of their senses or natural abilities.
Zoos have come a long way from animals sitting or pacing in small concrete boxes. The Lee Richardson Zoo uses large, naturalistic habitats filled with enrichment for the animals to investigate. Some enrichment may be non-visible, like scents, certain herbs, and perfumes, or very noticeable, like the climbing structures found in many habitats throughout the Zoo. Placing food in novel places or feeding out new food types is also very good for engaging animals in foraging behaviors, an almost universal animal behavior. So next time you see a box in an enclosure, think of all the thoughts, observations, and work that went into making sure that the box is not dangerous but still interesting to the animals. Let’s see how many enrichment items you can find during your next visit. For more information about Lee Richardson Zoo, visit leerichardsonzoo.org or call 620-276-1250 with questions.
Zoo Mourns Passing of Bactrian Camel
Trumpeter Swan Cygnets Hatched
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Image: Adult trumpeter swans "Abigail" and "Will" are joined by their two cygnets on the pond.
On May 29th, the trumpeter swan couple at the Lee Richardson Zoo hatched a pair of cygnets. These are the third and fourth cygnets for the pair, “Abigail” and “Will”. The cygnets have downy gray and white feathers and are already taking trips around the pond alongside mom and dad.
Trumpeter swans were once an endangered species due to overhunting for skins and feathers. The pair’s previous hatchlings in 2023 and 2024 have since been reintroduced to the wild in Oregon as part of a reintroduction project between the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and participating zoos, Zoo Idaho, AZA’s Trumpeter Swan Species Survival Plan (SSP), the Trumpeter Swan Society, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The program’s goal is to continue to restore trumpeter swan populations in their native habitat.
Once they reach the appropriate age, this year’s hatchlings will follow similar paths as their older sibling and parents. Each playing a significant role for their species, furthering the SSP goals, one cygnet will be released in Oregon’s Summer Lake Wildlife Area and the second will help support breeding efforts within the AZA-managed population. Until then, you can visit the swan family on the “Duck Pond” located near the flamingo habitat and along the zoo’s drive-through route.
Zoo Mourns Passing of Bactrian Camel
Anteater Returns to Lee Richardson Zoo
Image: "Chili" a female giant anteater lifts her long snoot towards the camera as she investigates her new habitat.
Photo by Cameron A. Lead Keeper
A giant anteater is back at Lee Richardson Zoo. A young female arrived from the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in Fresno, California, earlier this month. 3-year-old "Aji," or "Chili" as she's known, has been in routine quarantine behind the scenes as she adjusts to her new surroundings. She was recently introduced to a holding area adjacent to the habitat and will debut in the larger area in the Zoo's South American Pampas this week. Chili will join three greater rheas, 2 of whom arrived just this past fall.
Giant anteaters are insectivores named for their diet, consisting primarily of ants and termites. They use long, stout claws to rip apart termite mounds and logs in search of insects. They have very narrow mouths with no teeth and use long, slender tongues to extract their prey. Insects are then smashed between the tongue and palate while being constantly swallowed. Because anteaters do not produce stomach acids on their own to digest their food, they ironically use the formic acid produced by their prey for digestion. Managed as a Species Survival Plan within zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), there are now around 90 individuals at nearly 50 facilities.
Native to both the forests and grasslands of Central and South America, giant anteaters are currently considered Vulnerable in the Wild, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (CITES). Populations have been reduced due to habitat destruction, particularly by fires and poaching for fur and bushmeat.
Stop by Lee Richardson Zoo soon to see Chili and the rheas in her new home and learn more about the species, or call us at 620-276-1250.
2024 Employee of the Year
Photo: Alice Nelson, Education Specialist, holds a plaque for 2024 Employee of the Year.
Please join us in congratulation Alice Nelson, Education Specialist, for being awarded 2024's Lee Richardson Zoo Employee of the Year!
As an Education Specialist, Alice is part of the Zoo's Conservation Awareness Team, you may have met her during a Zoo event or Education Program both at the zoo or with a Zoo Mobile program. She also provides husbandry for the Zoo's animal ambassadors, and much, much more!
Alice's hard work and dedication to the Zoo, Zoo guests, the animals in our care, her coworkers, and our mission goes above and beyond!
Thank you Alice for all that you do! We appreciate you so much!