Latest news with #zoo
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Baby Elephant Spots Butterfly and Maximum Cuteness Ensues
Baby Elephant Spots Butterfly and Maximum Cuteness Ensues originally appeared on PetHelpful. As little ones, we explore the world with fresh, new eyes and a childish enthusiasm that makes the simplest moments the most memorable. The same can be said for our animal friends, and @noodleknowsnovels reminds us of that. They recently posted a flashback video featuring a very special memory with a baby elephant named Fitz. Filmed at the Louisville Zoo, the clip showed a time when this baby elephant spotted a butterfly, and Fitz could not contain his excitement. Fair warning: This moment ranks at maximum cuteness levels! But don't take my word for it. Go ahead and press play to see this adorable interaction. Is this not the cutest thing to grace your timeline today? Well, people can not get enough of this watching this throwback video of this elephant's reaction to seeing a butterfly, and no one could blame them. Fitz was mesmerized by the tiny creature as it fluttered about. You can actually see the awe in this baby elephant's eyes. He was fascinated by this winged wonder, so he did what most curious kids do. He followed the butterfly around, and while doing so, he expressed his feelings at seeing this little insect in action with the cutest noises. Viewer @echowonderlark wrote that it, 'reminds me exactly of a human baby experiencing bubbles [and] the little screamy laugh they do.' There are definitely similarities between the two because Fitz is saying something through his little rumbles and trumpet watcher related to this baby elephant. @sblizzard7 added, 'Fitz, I get just as excited when I see a butterfly, too.' Really, who wouldn't be a little thrilled to have a butterfly come and bring a little whimsey to your day? 'He's throwing fitz over that butterfly,' joked @digi_talis, and he most certainly did. @noodleknowsnovels said in the post caption, 'We loved seeing Fitz at [the @louisvillezoo] and miss him so much!' So many feel the same way because this little guy was a favorite among zoo visitors in the video's comments. This was such a special memory to share, and hopefully, this video brightened up many of our feeds. Fitz will truly never be forgotten. Baby Elephant Spots Butterfly and Maximum Cuteness Ensues first appeared on PetHelpful on Jun 28, 2025 This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
The Herald
a day ago
- General
- The Herald
Pretoria Zoo celebrates World Giraffe Day by welcoming newborn calf Enzo
When the global community came together to celebrate World Giraffe Day on June 21, the National Zoological Gardens (NZG) in Pretoria had its own reason to celebrate with the arrival of a giraffe calf earlier this month. Born on June 8, the young giraffe is the fifth addition to the NZG's giraffe herd. The birth coincided with World Giraffe Day, an initiative by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) to honour the world's tallest land animal on the year's longest day. The calf was born at the zoo to Momo, an 11-year-old matriarch known for her calm and independent nature. According to Carol Thobela, curator of carnivores, pachyderms, and farm yard at NZG, the calf has begun to show a strong personality. 'We named the calf Enzo, meaning 'ruler of the estate'. It's a strong, bold name that suits the energy we have seen. Even though we don't yet know if Enzo is male or female, the name reflects the confidence and spirit of this little one,' said Thobela. NZG director of animal conservation Tracy Rehse highlighted the importance of understanding giraffe subspecies in supporting global conservation science. 'According to new genetic classifications, the NZG giraffes are assumed to belong to the South African giraffe subspecies Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa, though genetic testing has not yet been conducted to confirm this,' said Rehse. 'Understanding subspecies has helped us align our animal management practices with conservation science and ensures we're contributing meaningful data to global conservation efforts' The giraffes at NZG live in an environment tailored to their natural behaviour and health needs. Elevated feeders mimic tree-top browsing, while night shelters and a surrounding wet moat provide safety and comfort, accounting for giraffes' natural reluctance to cross water. The NZG herd includes a mix of distinctive personalities, including: Tiago, who was born in 2020 and hand-reared by staff, is known for his playful and affectionate nature. Azuri, who was born in 2022, is confident and observant and is often found surveying the zoo from his favourite lookout mound. Bonito, the nine-year-old breeding bull, is food-driven and dominant, approaching staff only when browse is on offer. South African National Biodiversity Institute director of marketing, communications and commercialisation Nontsikelelo Mpulo stressed the broader significance of World Giraffe Day. 'World Giraffe Day is not only about admiring Africa's gentle giants. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness and support for the conservation of giraffes, who are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, poaching and deteriorating ecological infrastructure,' said Mpulo. 'While promoting animal welfare and public education, the zoo also plays an important role in national conservation efforts. Though giraffes are locally classified as Least Concern, the species is globally listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with some subspecies facing a higher risk of extinction.' TimesLIVE
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Blackpool Zoo gives penguins pedicures to stop mix-ups
A zoo has given its penguin chicks a "delightful pedicure" as a "creative and colourful" way of telling them chick from each pair of newborn Magellanic penguins at Blackpool Zoo has had blue nail varnish painted on their claws to ensure keepers "can accurately record health checks, weight and developmental progress", a representative keeper Jason Keller said the move was necessary as it was "easy to confuse them, especially with multiple chicks in some nest boxes and markings that are very similar"."Painting the toenails... means we can be sure we are recording all their information correctly," he added. 'Explore the pool' The chicks recently hatched at the zoo's expanded Penguin Cove area, which saw a new sanded beach area added in 2024 and the number of nest boxes increased from six to 11. The zoo representative said the cove was home to 10 males and 13 female Magellanic penguins, a species native to the coasts of Argentina and said the gender of the chicks would be confirmed when feather samples were analysed at the age of about 12 weeks old."Once this is confirmed they will be named and have an ID band fitted for identification," the representative said. "They will also start to slowly explore the pool around this time, with their parents teaching them how to swim." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Science
- CBS News
Maryland Zoo makes adjustments to ensure animals are safe in dangerous heat
The Maryland Zoo is making accommodations that will keep its animals safe and protected from this dangerous heatwave. Zookeepers are monitoring the animals, giving them extra water, spraying them off, and keeping them from the sun's powerful exposure. Special attention for hot days On Wednesday morning, the chimpanzees cooled off with icy fruits and vegetables. "Chimpanzees are very smart. They're going to know when they're getting a special treat," said Margaret Innes, the general curator with the Maryland Zoo. "They're going to recognize the keepers coming down with that, and they're going to make sure they're front of the queue to get whatever is being offered." But it's not just the chimpanzees getting the special treatment. Each animal gets monitored to make sure they are not overheated. "We do have keepers who are monitoring them very closely, and they try to make sure that the animals have what they need to make sure they stay cool," Innes said. Splashing away the heat Additionally, many of the animals have a choice to spend their day outside with extra water and shade, or inside in the air conditioning. Meanwhile, the African Elephants cool off with a spray shower. "It's like us going to the pool and enjoying it," said zookeeper Steven Schweiger. Schweiger says every time, 42-year-old Tuffy the Elephant chooses to stand under the shower. "In the wild, he would go to a mud wallow or a pool that would actually throw mud on him," Schweiger said. Acclimating to the weather While these extra ways to cool down certainly help, Innes says it's incredible the way Tuffy and most of the animals at the zoo can follow their instincts to adapt to the heat. The African penguins handle the intense heat better than you'd expect! And of course, the zookeepers are keeping an extra eye out for issues during the heat, but Innes says for the most part, the animals know how to take care of themselves. "Overall, animals, if they are healthy and don't have any issues that they're dealing with, can adapt and deal with the heat," Innes said. "And generally, if we give them the option, they will make good choices." WJZ was told the same protocols are made during extreme cold weather events so the animals at the zoo are safe, happy, and healthy year-round.
Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
I took my son on a private tour of London's ‘other' zoo
I t says something for my eight-year-old son's sense of reality, or perhaps timidity, that the thought of seeing actual lemurs in south London held greater appeal than fake dinosaurs. A half-term trip to Battersea took us past the Jurassic World Experience in the shadow of Gilbert Scott's power station, where many a boy would have begged to go, but Humphrey was much keener on getting to the zoo to see Maurice from Madagascar and his five children. We found the lemurs lounging on the roof of the first hut, staring at us with those hypnotic, deep orange eyes. The zoo in Regent's Park is London's best known, but there has been one this side of the river, barely 100 yards from the Thames, since 1951, when a menagerie was created for the Festival of Britain. Wandsworth council then ran the site before selling it in 2004 to Roger and Carol Heap, who owned a wildlife sanctuary in Derbyshire and have since relocated to the New Forest. The zoo reopened 20 years ago this month.
