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.
Celebrating the Prairie’s Masked Mustelid
- Emily Sexson, Communication Specialist
"Hankii" the zoo's resident black-footed ferret rests among various tree limbs inside her habitat.
Prairies are unique ecosystems. To some, it may be daunting to look out on a seemingly unending ocean of grasses and shrubs; some may even claim it’s all a bunch of “nothing”. However, when I find myself standing in a natural grassland, I feel an overwhelming sense of belonging and an appreciation for the wildlife that calls it home. The melodic call of a western meadowlark, the fragrant smell of grass, the unique taste of a freshly plucked mulberry as you pop it in your mouth, the rough feel of an ornate box turtle’s shell as you safely help it move across the road, the silly sight of a badger sending dirt flying as it digs a fresh burrow, the loud snorts and stomps of a herd of bison. Truly, what’s not to love?
As with any natural place on our planet, prairies face several threats, despite their beauty and purpose. Humans, unfortunately, have had much to do with the loss of North America’s prairies, moving in and changing the landscape with buildings, developments, and agriculture. Before European settlers, there were an estimated 320 million acres of prairie habit. Today only one percent of the original prairie in the United States remains undisturbed by human activity. These factors have fragmented natural prairies into smaller, isolated patches, which reduces the biodiversity and threatens the function of the ecosystem.
Another example of an action taken by humans that seemed beneficial at the time for humans but turned into a real problem for one of our prairie friends, was the attempted eradication of prairie dogs. Prairie dogs are burrowing ground squirrels native to the grasslands of North America. Their food of choice? Vegetation. As settlers moved westward, discovering the fertile land of the prairie, they converted much of it to cropland or grazing spots for livestock. Worried that prairie dogs would outcompete cattle for food or destroy their crops, massive poisoning operations against the rodents began in the early 1900s. Prairie dogs are a keystone species; they create complex burrows that aerate soil and offer shelter to other animals. Their grazing habits promote diverse plant life which is necessary for larger grazers like pronghorn and bison to thrive. They’re also a vital food source for predators.
One such predator that chooses to dine on prairie dogs is the black-footed ferret, a species of mustelid. Mustelids are a family of carnivoran mammals that includes weasels, otters, martens, and more. Prairie dogs make up 90% of a black-footed ferret’s diet. Even though these ferrets nearly match the prairie dogs in size, they’re able to overpower the rodents thanks to their speed and carnivorous adaptations. Not only do the black-footed ferrets eat the prairie dogs, but they also take over their burrows for shelter. When prairie dog “towns” are wiped out, the ferrets lose their food and their homes, two key components for any animal’s survival.
Disease also threatens the black-footed ferret. The bubonic plague was introduced to America via fleas from rats traveling over on trading ships. Both prairie dogs and ferrets are susceptible to the disease, and it further fragments prairie dog colonies and threatens ferret populations. Thankfully, a vaccine was developed that has been proven to be effective at preventing the disease in black-footed ferrets, and dusting prairie dogs with a pesticide helps prevent outbreaks by decreasing fleas. While not as common or devastating as plague, Canine distemper, a lethal virus, also poses a threat to isolated ferret populations. However, prairie dogs are not susceptible to the disease.
By the 1950’s, black-footed ferrets were thought by many to be extinct. Amazingly, in 1964, a small population was discovered in South Dakota. Despite best efforts and an attempted captive breeding program, the wild population died out in 1974, and the last ferret in captivity died in 1979. The black-footed ferret was again considered to be extinct.
Then, one fateful day on September 26th, 1981, a ranch dog in Wyoming named Shep brought a dead ferret home to his owners. The ranchers took the body to a taxidermist who identified the black-footed ferret and contacted wildlife authorities. After surveying the area, a small population of Black-footed ferrets was discovered, and the Black-Footed Ferret Recovery Program began. Researchers studied the elusive black-footed ferrets and, in 1985, noticed that populations were once again declining due to plague and canine distemper. Between 1985 and 1987, 24 ferrets were captured; unfortunately, six immediately died of distemper. Both the Wyoming and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services began a captive breeding program with the remaining 18 individuals.
In 1991, federal and state agencies began working in cooperation with private landowners, Native American tribes, and the North American zoo community to reintroduce ferrets back into the wild. Today reintroduction sites are in Kansas, Montana, South Dakota, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Canada, and Mexico. Today, approximately 300 individual ferrets live in the wild. The Lee Richardson Zoo works with the National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center in Colorado to provide a home for ferrets retired from the breeding and reintroduction program. We have also assisted the Reintroduction Program with annual surveys numerous times throughout the years.
This year marks the 44th anniversary of the Black-footed Ferret Rediscovery Day! We welcome everyone to the Finnup Center for Conservation Education to visit the current black-footed ferret resident, “Hankii”, in her habitat and learn more about black-footed ferrets as well as other native prairie species. The Finnup Center is open weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm with a brief closure over the noon hour. Visit our website at www.leerichardsonzoo.org for more Zoo information and updates.
August's Staff Pic of the Month
August's Staff Pic of the Month Winner was Emily S. with their submission of this photo of a Pallas' cat.
The Pic of the Month winners are selected by the Zoo's Advisory Board during their monthly meetings.
Congratulations Emily!
The Changing of the Seasons
- Houston Glover, Conservation Awareness Coordinator
"KJ" a male Bactrian camel walks confidently through the snow while covered in his thicker, winter fur.
Monday, September 22nd, marks the 2025 Autumnal Equinox here in the Northern Hemisphere. On this date, the sun passes over the earth’s equator, and brings equal hours of daylight and night to both hemispheres. This passage marks the end of summer for the northern half of the globe, and the end of winter in the southern half. Here in the US, we celebrate this time as the first official day of fall. For humans, this is a time to relax after our busy summers. Many of us look forward to cool weather, cozy sweaters, and seasonal coffee drinks. But for animals, this is a time of action. Fall’s arrival means that winter is on its way, and animals need to be prepared.
Winter is most famous for its cold weather. For some animals, that cold can be deadly. That’s why many insects have to seek shelter or migrate during the fall. Here in Kansas, we can observe the migrations of monarch butterflies and green darner dragonflies, both of which are on their way down to Mexico to find warm weather over the winter. The freezing temperatures of a Kansas winter would freeze these little animals to death, so the long flight south is a matter of survival. Invertebrates who can’t fly, like the roly-poly, or pill bug, have to take cover underground to hibernate. Sometimes, in their hurry to get somewhere safe, they accidentally find their way into human buildings, which is why you may see an increase in the number of invertebrates in your house over the winter.
While the insects migrate to get away from the cold, other animals migrate for another reason. An American robin, for instance, can handle the cold. Their feathers insulate their bodies enough that they don’t need to worry about the weather. What they do have to worry about is the sudden lack of insects to eat. Once all their prey either leaves or burrows to safety, robins need to move on to where the insects are easier to find. Food is the motivation for the majority of bird migrations. Mississippi kites migrate south because the lizards, frogs, and cicadas here are all hibernating through the winter, and the ones down south are still awake. Even Canada geese, with their iconic, V-shaped flying formation, are flying south to find greener grass and water plants, which will all be either dormant or frozen over in a few months.
Here at the Zoo, the animals in our care don’t have to worry much about winter. Many of the species here are those who would still be active through even the coldest winter. American bison are famously unbothered by snow and ice and use their heads to plow through the snow to find the grass underneath. River otters are insulated by their thick fat and winter fur coats, and can be seen swimming even when the water is barely above freezing. Red pandas, trumpeter swans, cougars, camels, and leopards all love the cold too. In fact, some of those are more active and visible in the fall and winter than in the spring and summer. For other animals though, especially those who are native to warmer parts of the globe, the fall may be the last time they can be reliably seen until spring. Be sure to come to the Zoo soon to see our tropical birds, rhinos, and lions before they start spending the colder days in their heated barns.
For more information about how animals deal with the change in seasons, feel free to reach out to us at zoo.education@gardencityks.us, or visit our website at www.leerichardsonzoo.org.
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.
Threatened Species
- Alice Nelson, Conservation Awareness Manager
Image: A bee stops to collect nectar and pollen from a wildflower in the zoo's Butterfly Garden.
National Threatened Species Day is celebrated on September 7th in Australia. This marks the unfortunate passing, and subsequent extinction, of the last known Tasmanian Tiger in 1936. Now in Australia, this sad anniversary is a time to raise awareness about conserving threatened plant and animal species. However, Australia is not the only place that raises awareness about keeping plant and animal species thriving in the wild. In fact, here at Lee Richardson Zoo, we strive to raise awareness, empathy, and also money for species all over the world.
The Lee Richardson Zoo’s mission is to connect people with wildlife, inspiring appreciation and understanding of the natural world through conservation, education, and engaging experiences. To further that end, the Conservation Awareness Team, the team responsible for the zoo’s educational programs, animal encounters, and conservation awareness days, wants to inspire conservation actions for all ages. Sometimes protecting a species can be as easy as leaving out a shallow bowl of water with some stones in it. This allows many species, including honeybees, to still have access to water during droughts without risking drowning. Little conservation actions can be fun! Some conservation efforts Lee Richardson Zoo is engaged in this year include jaguar conservation at the Cockscomb Basin Reserve, Asian Wild Horses through True Horse, and the many AZA SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) programs around the zoo. Pro-conservation actions make a huge difference in protecting species far away as well as here at home.
One pro-conservation action could be raising awareness about the human-animal conflicts that often lead to threatened or endangered species classification of animals and plants around the world. Land development and poor usage of resources, such as some unsustainable paper production practices, are often a cause of human-animal conflict and threaten many plant and animal species around the globe. Once we know about the issues, it is then our time to act on this information. One way to act is to donate money to current conservation or education activities.
Here at the Zoo, our Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo (FOLRZ) are raising money for Zoo improvements during the “A Wild Affair” event. This 21+ only special event will bring people to the Zoo to enjoy food, beverages, and musical entertainment. Hosted within the Zoo on Saturday, September 6th, from 6 pm to 9 pm, we hope to see many friendly faces. The two auctions held during the event are filled with goodies that will entice anyone to bid. Every dollar raised will support the FOLRZ’s newest fundraiser campaign: “Feathers Forever”. This campaign will help guests see, learn about, and empathize with some of our feathered friends even during the winter. Forging those connections of empathy and wonder not only delights guests but also paves the way for conservation actions.
So, no matter if you are planting a pollinator garden or attending a fundraising event like “A Wild Affair,” you can also help protect threatened plants and animals. While the extinction of the Tasmanian Tiger remains a sad event, perhaps its legacy is one of inspired pro-conservation actions all over the world, even here in Garden City, Kansas. For more information about “A Wild Affair” and other fundraising initiatives, please visit the Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo’s website at www.folrz.com.
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!