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 Mourns Passing of Giraffe
Male reticulated giraffe "Juani" stands with trees in the background of his outdoor habitat.
Lee Richardson Zoo is mourning the passing of “Juani”, a sixteen-year-old male reticulated giraffe. Juani had been undergoing veterinary care for a hoof issue, which continued despite treatment and Animal Care staff working with him during voluntary sessions. The next step in his care plan required him to be anesthetized. On Sunday, November 2nd, a farrier who specializes in exotic hoofstock, as well as veterinary staff from the Sedgwick County Zoo and Rolling Hills Zoo, joined the Lee Richardson Zoo team for the procedure. Radiographs and a physical examination showed the extent of the issues with Juani’s hoof. At that time, the difficult and compassionate decision was made to humanely euthanize him.
“Due to the severity of the hoof issue and the impact it had on his health, it was the only choice we could make.” said Zoo Director Kristi Newland. “The preparations for the procedure were on point. The collaboration was wonderful. The induction (Juani going under anesthesia) went smoothly. It goes to show you that you can have everything right but still not get the desired results. We know he will be missed by zoo staff and guests alike.”
Juani arrived at Lee Richardson Zoo in 2011 from the Indianapolis Zoo. While at Lee Richardson Zoo, he sired three calves. The youngest of the calves, Miguu, along with Miguu’s mother, Cleo, reside at the Zoo.
In the wild, giraffes are facing a crisis due to habitat loss, poaching, and other threats. Thanks to conservation work by groups like the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, there are some signs of a positive turn in trends. Visit their site, giraffeconservation.org, or Lee Richardson Zoo to learn more about the tallest mammal in the world.
For More Information Contact: Kristi Newland, Director, or Joe Knobbe, Deputy Director, at 620-276-1250 or kristi.newland@gardencityks.us or joe.knobbe@gardencityks.us
Batty for Bats!
- Emily Sexson, Communication Specialist
Photo of bats from the Zoo's historical files. The Zoo does not currently care for bats.
They’re located around the world and play a vital role in every ecosystem they inhabit. They pollinate, disperse, and protect the future of valuable cash crops, including but not limited to bananas, guava, cashews, corn, cotton, and agave (the kind used to make tequila). They are a critical part of restoring cleared and damaged rainforests. They even poo with purpose, as their waste is a natural fertilizer that has far-reaching benefits. There are over 1,500 species. Just who are these superhero-like animals? Bats, that’s who.
Wait, don’t go! I know just the word “bat” can strike fear in some, but with Halloween just around the corner, it’s a great opportunity to turn this fear into facts! The more we know about something, the less we fear it. In fact, October just happens to be Bat Appreciation Month! Let’s celebrate and learn about bats together and try to dispel some of the harmful rumors and myths shared about these fascinating animals.
“Blind as a bat” is a common saying but is overwhelmingly false and easy to disprove. In fact, some bats may see the world better than we humans do. Their ability to see varies from species to species. Like us, bats have special nerves or photoreceptor cells in their eyes called rods. These rods respond specifically to the amount of light in the environment. Humans have a peak density of about 150,000 rod cells per mm squared, while bats can have between 300,000 and 800,000! Not all bats can echolocate (the ability to “see” and navigate using sound, like sonar and radar), so these additional rod cells are a real advantage for these dwellers of the night!
Another popular myth is that bats commonly get tangled in human hair. This is an “old wives’ tale,” and while it isn’t impossible, the chances of it happening are extremely low. If you’re out in the evening and feel or see a bat fluttering around your head, it’s probably hunting a bug. This pairs with two other myths that all bats carry rabies and all bats want to drink your blood. Less than one percent of bats carry rabies; other wildlife, such as skunks, raccoons, and foxes, are common sources of the disease. The best thing you can do to avoid getting bitten by any wildlife is to simply leave them alone. As far as blood drinking goes, yes, some bats do, in fact, dine on blood. The vampire bat, the hairy-legged vampire bat, and the white-winged vampire bat are the only 3 species of bat that drink blood. They’re native to Central and South America, and they prefer to dine on easy targets such as cattle.
You may have heard that bats are just flying mice. This is also false! Bats belong to a completely different order of animal called Chiroptera while mice belong to the order Rodentia. Bats are, however, the only species of mammal with the ability of true flight. You may have heard of flying squirrels and sugar gliders, but these animals cannot truly fly; they use an extra membrane of skin called a patagium that stretches between their limbs to glide from one spot to another. They cannot get lift like the specialized wings of a bat can.
October is the perfect month to celebrate bats, as we often see them used as seasonal decorations for Halloween. While some consider them to be “spooky”, perhaps due to unfortunate myths that continue to be passed along, they truly hold important roles in the ecosystems they inhabit. For example, a single little brown bat (native to Kansas) can eat up to 1,000 mosquito-sized insects in just one hour; that’s reason alone to be thankful for bats!
For more information about bats and efforts that help these flying mammals, please search out our friends in conservation at Bat Conservation International either on Facebook or at their website at www.batcon.org! If you ever see a bat on the ground that is unable to fly away or is injured, don’t attempt to touch or move the bat yourself; instead, contact the Kansas State Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism. Their local office phone number is 620-276-8886.
International Snow Leopard Day
- Houston Glover, Conservation Awareness Coordinator
"Omid" the Lee Richardson Zoo's resident snow leopard explores his habitat.
Every year on October 23rd, zoos and wildlife lovers around the world celebrate International Snow Leopard Day. It is the perfect time of year to be getting excited about these fluffy felines, because as the weather cools down, the snow leopard residents of American zoos start to become more active and spend more time outside. This week, we’d like to take this opportunity to reintroduce you to these amazing and often elusive mountain cats.
One great way to learn about any species is by looking at their family tree. Discovering which other species an animal is related to can provide context and highlight what makes the species unique. Obviously, a snow leopard is in the cat family. But more specifically, it is in the genus Panthera, which includes all of the true panthers: tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards, and snow leopards. Notably, cougars, which are often called panthers in some places, are not true panthers. However, in many ways, a snow leopard has a lot more in common with a cougar than it has with its big panther cousins. For one thing, snow leopards are by far the smallest of the panthers. Lee Richardson Zoo’s resident snow leopard, “Omid,” usually weighs in around 90 pounds. That’s pretty similar to a cougar in size, but vastly different from a snow leopard’s closest relative: the heaviest cat alive, the tiger, which can get to be over 500 pounds.
The fact that cougars and snow leopards are both lightweight is no coincidence. It comes with their territory. Both species fill very similar niches as the apex predators of mountain habitats. It helps these mountain cats to be fairly small for two reasons. For one, smaller bodies need less food. There isn’t a lot to hunt in the Himalayan mountains, so a larger cat like a tiger would probably struggle to get enough food. For another, a lighter, slimmer body helps them to be more effective climbers and leapers. Snow leopards hold the record for the longest jump by any cat, covering over 38 feet in a single bound.
Another thing that sets snow leopards apart from other panthers is their shyness. Certainly, any wild cat would avoid humans if at all possible, but snow leopards are the true masters of keeping out of sight. Their habitat of steep cliffs and high mountain peaks keeps them far away from most people, but even those who venture into snow leopard territory are unlikely to see them. Their camouflage keeps them practically invisible, and their keen senses of sight, hearing, and smell ensure that they know when humans are coming. Fortunately, they are not aggressive toward human mountain climbers. In fact, there are no confirmed cases of snow leopards killing humans or even attacking them unprovoked. When it comes to ‘fight or flight,’ these shy cats will always choose to retreat.
Unfortunately, the beautiful snow leopard is under threat. While it’s hard to get an exact estimate of their numbers due to their stealthiness, it seems certain that there are fewer than 10,000 individuals remaining in the wild. Major threats to the species include human-wildlife conflict and poaching. To learn more about snow leopards and how you can help, visit our friends at the Snow Leopard Trust, www.snowleopard.org. Make sure to also stop by the snow leopard habitat in Wild Asia, between 2 pm and 3 pm on Saturday, October 25th, to meet with zoo staff and engage in the snow leopard conversation. We hope to see you there.
September's Staff Pic of the Month
September's Staff Pic of the Month Winner was Peyton S. with their submission of this photo of a black rhino.
The Pic of the Month winners are selected by the Zoo's Advisory Board during their monthly meetings.
Congratulations Peyton!
Zoo Mourns Passing of Bactrian Camel
Orphaned Bobcat Kittens Find Home at
Lee Richardson Zoo
Bobcat kittens "Rose" and "Dallas" climb a tree branch in their behind the scenes habitat.
Lee Richardson Zoo staff are thrilled to share a big surprise, or technically, two little surprises. On September 3rd, two bobcat kittens arrived from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife after the kittens were found orphaned and brought to a local wildlife rehabilitation center. At 4-6 weeks of age, the kittens were too small to survive on their own, and it was determined that the best home for them would be at a facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). In consultation with AZA’s experts in feline care, Lee Richardson Zoo’s 12-year-old resident female bobcat, “Yazi”, was recommended as a great fit and companion for the two kittens.
The now 3 ½-month-old bobcats, one male and one female, have been cared for in routine quarantine behind the scenes while staff monitor them to ensure they are healthy and gaining weight. The orphaned kittens have also had the opportunity to get more comfortable with their caretakers. At 5 pounds and growing, the kittens are on track to join “Yazi” in the Zoo’s Cat Canyon habitat in the near future.
As a note of appreciation, the bobcat kittens have been given names that refer to where they came from. Male kitten, “Dallas”, was named for the town in Oregon, in which the kittens were found, and female, “Rose”, was named after the nearest metropolis, Portland, “The City of Roses”.
While Lee Richardson Zoo is home to many exotic species, the Zoo is just as committed to the conservation of our native wildlife, such as bobcats. Your choices can make a difference for local wildlife, too. As the late Jane Goodall said, “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you.”
Be sure to follow Lee Richardson Zoo on social media for updates on “Dallas” and “Rose” and when they will be visible to guests. The Zoo is open from 8 am to 5 pm for guests to visit all the Zoo residents, both exotic and native.
Behind the Scenes of Animal Training
- Alice Nelson, Conservation Awareness Manager
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Animal Care Staff during a training session for hoof trimming with Asian wild horse "Berezhnei". Berezhnei is stationed at a trimming block while one staff member files his hoof and another rewards his behavior with his favorite food.
During the summer, some of you might have experienced the up-close wonder of our rhinos or giraffes during a staff-led animal encounter. These encounters allow guests to feed veterinarian -approved food to our animals with staff guidance and animal interest. As some of you may have noticed, this is completely the animal’s choice for our giraffes and rhinos, meaning that they can come or go as they like, and thus can choose to participate in the encounter or not. With younger animals, like our two and three-quarters year old giraffe Miguu, encounters are an experience that must be familiarized with and shaped by staff and animal alike. Even though encounters are finished for the season due to unreliable weather and cold temperatures, the magic of training continues here at the Lee Richardson Zoo.
Why do we engage animals in training in the first place? Animal training enriches our zoo residents by challenging their minds and giving them unique experiences with choice and control, and special interactions with Animal Care or Conservation Awareness staff. Residents of the Zoo are evaluated at least annually, to determine if a training regimen will improve the animal’s well-being. Once training plans are written, reviewed, and approved, a primary trainer can start working on specific skills with an individual animal. Most of the skills that are trained for have specific uses involving the animal’s life. Shifting an animal from one room of a habitat to another allows for safe cleaning of the habitats. Training allows the animal to think through what is being asked of them. Some ambassador animals are trained to enter and leave their transport carriers voluntarily. This allows the animal to decide if they wish to participate in programs. Some of our larger animals are trained to voluntarily engage in medical procedures. For example, some animals come up to staff to get injections or X-rays voluntarily.
Others allow blood to be drawn without having to sedate the animal. In fact, our keeper staff, with guidance from the vet team, are able to successfully draw blood from our rhinos completely voluntarily. This means that the rhino involved had to decide to come to a station where the keepers were standing, allowing them access to the rhino’s veins, and stay still while poked with a needle and while the blood was being drawn. Training for this behavior is very time-consuming and can easily be set back if a trainer tries to rush the behavior too quickly. After all, just as you trust that the doctor or nurse taking your blood will not hurt you unduly, so must the rhino trust that the keepers will keep them safe from true harm.
A lion opening its mouth on cue, may seem like a cool trick, but it is important for their dental health that keepers are able to check their teeth and mouths safely and often. Especially any animal that is given bone as enrichment or as part of their diet, checking their mouths non-stressfully, is important to ensure they are not getting injured by the bone and that they are not wedging items in between teeth or into the roof of their mouths. Similarly, our lions are also asked to stand on their hind feet with front paws against the mesh, so we can examine their undersides and make sure they are strong enough to stand in this position. Another behavior is to put their paws up one at a time for the staff to be able to check their feet. As tough as some animals are, it can still be painful to get items like stones or thorns in their paw pads.
It is important to note that different animals are trained differently. No staff member is in the same space as a big cat or bear, unless the animal is fully sedated. Training with a barrier in between is a consideration when training larger or more dangerous animals. Ambassador animals that routinely travel are often trained without barriers between them and the trainer who will be working with them. The training of these animals also revolves more around voluntarily entering carriers and allowing them to be presented by Conservation Awareness staff.
No matter what the animal is asked to accomplish, all tasks are broken down into small steps, called shaping, to help the animal understand what we are asking them to do. Gradually the smaller steps are rewarded less, but the end behavior is praised and rewarded highly. This lets the animal know that the end behavior is what matches the command. As with all animal training, even cats and dogs, it is important to encourage trust between the animal and the trainer. The easiest way to gain trust is to make sure no part of the training is too scary or hurts. Positive reinforcement helps to strengthen the bond between the trainer and the animal, as well as the behavior being associated. When the animal gets something wrong, we do not punish the animal; we simply ignore that unwanted behavior. Then we ask for the correct behavior again. When the correct behavior is given, we reward the animal heavily. For more information about the animals who live at the Zoo visit the Lee Richardson Zoo or our website at www.LeeRichardsonZoo.org . For more information on training, please call the direct line of the zoo at 620-276-1250 or email us at zoo.department@gardencityks.us .
Choosing a Pet
- Kristi Newland, Zoo Director
The word is out, it’s just over 100 days until Christmas! Christmas is one of those occasions when many people consider giving a pet to someone they care about. This is a gift that takes a lot of thought and planning. If you give the wrong tie, it ends up in the back of the closet, in the Goodwill bag, or it’s “regifted”. If you give the wrong pet, the ramifications are much more complicated.
The benefits of pet ownership are well-documented, but it also comes with many responsibilities. Pet ownership requires a commitment of time, money, and heart. So, before you give someone a pet, please be sure they want one and are ready to have one in their lives. The next step, if you move forward, is figuring out what kind of pet. Fish, reptile, amphibian, bird, cat, or dog, all could be viable options when selecting a pet. Goldfish fill the role of first pet for many people. There are also other options to consider if you’re angling toward fish as your selection. Freshwater or saltwater, solitary or group, simple or complicated? Fish can be beautiful and calming companions.
There are numerous reptiles and amphibians that can make good pets. Food for some of these animals can be a little more involved than opening a bag of kibble. Can the new owner handle feeding rats, mice, crickets, worms, etc., to their new companion? Is there a veterinarian in the area who will help the new owner care for such animals? The veterinarian question also comes into play if you’re considering some sort of bird as a pet. While dogs and cats are regular patients for most veterinarians, you may have to look a little harder for one who will deal with more unusual pets.
Long-range planning is another thing the new owner needs to deal with for some birds and reptiles. Some macaws and tortoises will probably outlive their owners and require a follow-up plan. While this question may not need to be dealt with immediately, it is something to consider. Is the new pet owner you’re buying for ready to deal with that type of commitment and long-term issues?
As far as relationships go, consider cats and dogs. Their connection with mankind is ages old. It’s even documented in hieroglyphics. A whole industry has developed around making supplies for our feline and canine companions. There’s a breed of cat or dog that meets about every descriptor you can think of. Big, small, furry, doesn’t shed much, hypoallergenic, loud, cute, cuddly, quiet, easy to train, challenging, white, red, even “blue”. You name it and you can probably find a dog or cat to meet the description. But it’s not just whether the pet fits the needs of the owner; the owner needs to fit the needs of the pet also.
Questions abound when considering pet ownership. How much room is available for the pet? Does the new owner live in an apartment or on a farm with 100 acres? How much time will be devoted to the pet? Does that amount of time meet the needs of the animal you’re looking at? Is the pet even legal in the area where it will be living? Be sure to check local and state regulations (apartment leases, too). Laws are changing all the time. If someone may be moving soon, it would be wise to stick with a more traditional type of pet which most states cover with similar regulations.
There are even more pet options than already discussed (pigs, rabbits, millipedes, even tarantulas), but there are also animals that should not be pets. Many people have at one time or another said, “I want a monkey.” I don’t know if I actually said it as a child, but I know I thought about it once or twice. Trust me, as someone who has worked with primates and other exotic animals for over 40 years, you don’t want to go down that road. Monkeys, apes, and exotic cats (lions, bobcats, mountain lions, etc.) are not meant to live in human households. They are wild animals with behaviors that help them survive in their world - the wild. Sanctuaries are full of animals that someone thought would make a good pet, and they just had to have it (or give it to someone). The problem is, after being pulled from proper habitats, social groups, etc… and made, unsuccessfully, to try to fit in with humans, most of these animals don’t fit in with their own kind any more either. Some ex-pets can also be found in zoos, and for the reasons mentioned, they require special arrangements and care. Zoos are all about trying to put the animals in as natural a setting and grouping as possible and encouraging natural behaviors. That’s not something most people can accomplish in their living room.
I encountered a woman visiting a zoo many years ago. She said she just had to have a baby “mac-a-q” since her children were grown. There are so many ways to fill that void rather than trying to turn a macaque into a “human baby”, which they most definitely are not. Macaques, by the way, can carry a number of zoonotic diseases (diseases that can pass from animal to human) that you really don’t want to bring into your house. Some primates also have the habit of “urine washing” – they urinate on their hands and feet and then wipe it on the “furniture” in their home territory. Have you ever seen a curtain shredded by a normal house cat? Now imagine a lion or mountain lion having at those same curtains. Thinking of declawing? What if later you can’t keep that lion, and you manage to get it a new home in a sanctuary? How’s he or she going to defend themselves in their new pride? See, the devil is in the details when you are considering housing an exotic pet. There are so many other options out there that can still give a pet owner the challenge or companionship they’re looking for. If you really want what’s best for that oft-dreamt-of exotic pet, contribute to the conservation of wild spaces or support your local sanctuary or zoo. To be informed about exotic pets, visit www.notapet.net .
To stay up to date on Zoo happenings, visit our website at www.leerichardsonzoo.org or our Facebook page.
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.
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, Emily 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.
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.
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.
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!