August 23 News of the Zoos

Each week we’ll take a look at stories from zoos around the country. This is our chance to get you caught up on all the zoo news. We’ll provide the highlights, as well as links to the articles themselves in our News of the Zoos.

Use of bullhooks on elephants to be banned – This is a huge story. The use of bullhooks to train/command elephants has been widely debated. The AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) recently voted to phase out use of bullhooks. See an entire article by the Washington Post here.
Wind Energy to Power Detroit Zoo – The Detroit Zoo announced this week that they intend to switch to wind power energy in 2021. Read more about the plan here.

These hippos will have much more space at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo than they did in Missouri

Dickerson Park Hippos to return to Colorado – In 2016, the Dickerson Park Zoo sent beloved hippo Henry to the Cincinnati Zoo as part of a hippo breeding program Henry and Bibi gave birth to Fiona, the lovable hippo at Cincinnati! In 2017, Henry passed away. During that time, two hippos from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo came to stay at Dickerson Park while their habitat was being renovated. Upon completion this summer, the hippos are set to return home. See the full story from the Springfield News-Leader here.
Lion Cubs born at Columbus Zoo – Three lion cubs were born last week at the Columbus Zoo. Check out their story here.
Gorillas to move to Columbus – Per a recommendation from the AZA and SSP, the Milwaukee Zoo will be moving two of its gorillas to the Columbus Zoo. Read more here.
Baby born at St. Louis Zoo – The St. Louis Zoo welcomed a new baby Somalian Wild Ass last month. These animals are critically endangered. Read more here.
Beloved animals pass away – Several zoos have lost beloved animals recently. Kidomo, an okapi at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa passed away last week. In Omaha, keepers at the Henry Doorly Zoo euthanized their female white rhino this week. An elephant died unexpectedly this week at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina. Finally, the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington D.C. announced this week that a three-year-old California Sea Lion has passed away.

Thanks for reading this week’s News of the Zoos. To check out articles on our zoo experiences, click here.