Zoo Atlanta

Getting creative with pineapple tops! In the wild, golden lion tamarins have been observed sticking their long hands and fingers into bromeliads, looking for tasty insects. Here at the Zoo, we encourage the same behavior by hanging the tops from pineapples from the trees and filling the crevices with worms. As you can see, Theo really seems to enjoy this enrichment activity and is pretty successful at it too! Lynn Y., Lead Keeper, Primate Team #OnlyZooATL (video: Lynn Y.)

Sweet celebrations for diversity and love for all today! For our Members and guests, Volunteers and Zoo team members, we celebrate you and how special Zoo Atlanta is with you here. Happy #PrideDay! #Pride2021 #OnlyZooATL

Tonight’s Brew at the Zoo is *sold out!* If you missed getting a reservation, we'll miss seeing you, but don’t dismay you’ve got two more chances to attend this summer! Reservations are available for our July 23 and August 27 Brew at the Zoo events: zooatlanta.org/brew #OnlyZooATL

Iguana spend the morning with one of our favorite reptiles! Check in with the Fiji banded iguana in today's weekly PandaCam Takeover -- 11 a.m.! #OnlyZooATL www.zooatlanta.org/pandacam

Gorilla Care Team member Courtney M. has a fun caption for this adorable photo in today’s #SilverbackStory. Enjoy, and let us know how you’d caption this moment between Floyd and Dad Taz! #OnlyZooATL (photo: Courtney M.) Hey Dad, I know it was just Father’s Day and Great-Grandpa Ozzie’s birthday, but did you know our birthdays are just a few weeks away? Watching Ozzie celebrate got me really excited for next month. I am going to be 2! What do you want for your birthday? I want wood wool, ice treats with grapes and bananas, and I hope my sisters play with me. Do you think we’ll get anything?? Floyd I’m sure we will get all of that and more. All I want is a full belly and sunshine. Taz

Exciting baby news -- and then there were 10! We're thrilled to announce the birth of an Angolan colobus monkey, born to mom Adanna and dad George on February 6. The infant is the sixth born into our Angolan colobus troop. The infant can be seen with its family in our Monkeys of Makokou habitat and is easily distinguished by its solid white color. Adult Angolan colobus monkeys are notable for their striking black coats; long, white mantle fur; white whiskers and beards; and ...white tails. The newborn will gradually acquire this distinctive coloration in coming months. Sightings of the new arrival are temperature-permitting, as the Zoo’s primate populations may not be in their outdoor habitats if temperatures are below 50 degrees. Native to forests, savannas and swamplands in middle Africa, Angolan colobus monkeys are currently classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their primary threats include habitat destruction and hunting for bushmeat and skins. The species is considered sacred in west Africa because of its shy, aloof nature. The infant may be seen with its mother, Adanna, or in the care of other group members, which is typical for Angolan colobus monkeys. In addition to its parents, the group also includes its grandmother, Lami; adult female Kinshasa; and siblings and half-siblings Gerri, Kito, Orlando, Zera, and Zuli. Learn more about their species or plan a visit at zooatlanta.org. #OnlyZooATL

What’s everybody’s favorite future silverback learning about this week? How to hold his own with doting big sisters! Sometimes you must pancake your wrestling partner to win a match. Even so, Floyd is able to escape Mija’s hold. Slowly but surely he’s beginning to hold his own during play in the gorillas’ behind-the-scenes indoor night area. #SilverbackStory Sarafee, Gorilla Care Team (video: Sarafee) #OnlyZooATL

Our new white storks sure have some nosy neighbors. Truth is, everybody loves Betty and Vanna! #OnlyZooATL (photo: Rebecca Young)

Great news! Zoo Atlanta will broaden community access to our signature summer camp experience with the return of the Safari Camp Scholarship Program. This year, scholarships will be awarded for both the Spring Break Session and the Summer Session of Camp. The program will provide a week of Safari Camp for 85 children ages 5 to 11 from Title I Schools in the City of Atlanta and Fulton County. Scholarships include tuition for a weeklong session of Camp; daily lunch and snacks;... and extended care options. To qualify, children must be current residents of the City of Atlanta or Fulton County and must attend a Title I School or qualify for the free or reduced lunch program at school. The deadline to apply for the Spring Break session is March 1. The deadline to apply for the Summer Session is May 10. Learn more or find out how to apply via the link below, and spread the word to any parents or guardians you know who may be interested! #OnlyZooATL https://zooatlanta.org/program/scholarship-program/

It's a brand-new year, and now that the colors of the holiday season have faded, it's the perfect time to focus on a color that's near and dear to us: green! How can you hatch a plan to change up your lifestyle to better protect our planet? Youth Volunteer Supervisor Katie shares a few of our favorite tips in this month's Conservation Blog. Which ones can you put in place today? #TakeAction #OnlyZooATL Now that the red, blue, silver, and gold of the holiday season have faded...Continue reading

Ford Motor Company Fund is giving away face masks to the public on February 18 at Zoo Atlanta and local Ford stores. Come to Zoo Atlanta between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. or until supplies last. Limit of 20 masks per person #FinishStrong #FordFund #OnlyZooATL

Hooded vultures are taking over PandaCam from 11 a.m. to Noon! Check them out atzooatlanta.org/pandacam. We’re featuring a new species every Friday! #OnlyZooATL

It starts out as an egg laid in water. When it hatches, it looks like a fish with feather-duster gills sticking out of its head. Later, it ditches the feather duster for a pair of lungs, grows legs, and steps out on land. Whoa! It's not science fiction -- it's a salamander with the superpower of metamorphosis! Deidre O. tells us more in "The Salamander's Amazing Transformation," this week's #KeeperStories. #OnlyZooATL With the new year comes a new you, usually. And with 2020...Continue reading

"A dueling desire to play vs. continue eating?" A game of tug-of-war? Sounds like another day in PandaLand with the Peter Pan of Pandas, Yang Yang! Michelle E. has more in today's panda update ... #ZAPandas #OnlyZooATL Yang Yang had a very playful day recently! We have some tough canvas strips that we use to play tug-of-war with him, so the other day I grabbed one to see if he was interested in a round or two. He was in the behind the scenes dens eating and seemed torn betwe...en his dueling desires to play and to continue eating. I tossed his end of the canvas to him, which caught his attention. Normally he grabs onto it with his mouth and uses his extremely strong jaw muscles to pull against us (and eventually win every time). This day, however, he used his paws! He grabbed on with his two front paws and resisted my pulls. He still seemed to be considering whether it was worth pausing his bamboo meal, but every time I pulled a little, he tightened his grip. Eventually he went all in, twisting and pulling with his paws, but thumbs won out over pseudothumbs and in the end, I had finally won a round of tug-of-war against Yang Yang, master of the tug! Don’t worry about his pride, though. When I offered him a rematch, he went back to using his mouth and reclaimed his champion title! --Michelle E. Keeper III, Pandas

More on the intro process for gorilla females Amari, Kambera, and Shalia! Gorilla Lead Keeper Josh shares more, with insights into to the fascinating social dynamics involved with the formation of a gorilla troop! Once the females had cleared their routine quarantine period (standard for all new animals arriving at the Zoo), we began introducing them to each other. The process began with Amari and Shalia. Of the three, Amari is the most laid-back and will avoid confrontation... when possible. We felt she first needed to build a relationship with Shalia, who we determined was the individual most likely to keep the group of females cohesive. While Shalia did exhibit dominance over Amari, she was accepting of her and vice versa. The first step to establishing a family troop was made. After a couple of weeks, we brought Kambera, who has a much more boisterous personality, into the equation. From the get-go, it was apparent that Shalia and Kambera would challenge each other for dominance in the group. The great thing about gorillas is that they usually resolve conflict through display mechanisms, and avoid physical confrontation for the most part. Shalia and Kambera did just that posturing, vocalizing, running by each other, etc., -- while Amari looked on. These are all natural behaviors you would also see in the wild as gorillas work on their social dynamics. We were definitely pleased with what we saw. While the intros began outside in a large, open, behind-the-scenes habitat, we knew the girls would need to be able to get along inside overnight, so after a few days, we moved the intros indoors. Again, Kambera and Shalia vied for preferred locations and food items and each time would come to an appropriate resolution. It looks as if Shalia may wind up being the dominant female in the group, which is what we expected and hoped for. The girls are now together full-time and doing well. It will be a while before Willie B., Jr. is introduced to them, as we want the females to establish some strong social bonds first. Stay tuned for future updates as the continuing story of this new troop continues! #OnlyZooATL

Update on three of our most exciting new arrivals: female gorillas Amari, Kambera, and Shalia! If you’ve been following our news, you know that the females arrived in December on a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP) to form a new group with Willie B., Jr. The process for creating a new family troop with individuals who have not been together before takes time and careful planning. Shalia and Kambera came to us from the Columbus Zoo, while Amari came from the Buffalo Zoo. None had been with each other previously, so it was vital that they be introduced gradually to each other to maximize the chance of a successful troop formation. Stay tuned later today for more on their introductions! #OnlyZooATL

Enjoy an inspiring morning on the African Savanna with today's Friday PandaCam Takeover -- join Msholo, Kelly and Tara for an hour of ElephantCam, 11 a.m. to Noon today! #OnlyZooATL www.zooatlanta.org/pandacam

Little Floyd has really become his own man over the past year. While 2020 brought challenges for all of us, some of Floyd's 2020 challenges were a little different. For example, foraging for fruit was challenging for him because, while he has conquered the searching aspect, he hasn’t perfected the grab-and-eat part. When there are four older sisters and his mom Lulu nearby, they would likely steal those tasty treat items right out from under him. Here’s a great shot of most of the family group foraging together can you spot little Floyd in full searching mode? We hope 2021 brings you all good fortune and happiness, and we hope that everyone finds (and gets) what you’re searching for! Happy New Year from all the gorillas at Zoo Atlanta! #SilverbackStory Sarafee, Senior Keeper, Gorilla Care Team #OnlyZooATL (photo by Sarafee)

Now, how can THAT be comfortable?! We often catch ourselves musing on the contortionist positions the pandas seem to choose. They're A-okay with these bears, though ... Michelle E. has more in today's panda update. #ZAPandas #OnlyZooATL (photo by Michelle E.) The giant pandas amaze me all the time, but one of the aspects I am most incredulous (and jealous) of is their ability to find a comfortable resting place wherever they are. While monitoring PandaCam, we see the giant ...pandas fast asleep or relaxing in all sorts of uncomfortable-looking contortions or perches. They sleep balanced on top of logs, curled up on rocks, or splayed out on the ground. Recently I found Xi Lun in yet another resting position that only a panda could love tucked into her half barrel toy, happily munching away on some bamboo. I guess when you are as fluffy as a giant panda, the whole world is a comfortable bed! --Michelle E. Keeper III, Mammals

If you haven't got reservations for our next monthly Wild on the Rocks Virtual Happy Hour coming up on October 29, make a note to get yours before they're gone! Associate Curator of Primates Jodi Carrigan showers us with behind-the-scenes tales of the bachelor lives and times of Willie B., Ivan, Ozzie, and Taz. Serve up this month's cocktail, the Harvest Punch -- reservations include an exclusive make-at-home drink recipe -- and enjoy! Registration here: https://zooatlanta.org/event/wildontherocks/ #OnlyZooATL

Ready, set, charge! We're thrilled to introduce the Run Like Wild 5k at Zoo Atlanta, coming up on April 24! It's the only 5k in Atlanta where your run could include sightings of lions, elephants, or this year's featured species, the white rhino. Advance online registration is required and is open until April 20. Spots are limited, so run on over to zooatlanta.org now! Want to support us from afar? We have a Virtual Run opportunity too! #OnlyZooATL https://zooatlanta.org/event/run-like-wild/

Fly into Boo at the Zoo this Saturday & Join #TheWitches for treats (no tricks)! The Witches streaming starts October 22 only on @HBOMax.

Danica W. has left Zoo Atlanta for new adventures and an exciting new chapter up North, but you can still hear her wonderful insights into the giant pandas and their care in today's new podcast from Rossifari. Enjoy! #ZAPandas

What a year it’s been for our Bird Department, with so many notable hatchings! The latest is this cutie: a sunbittern chick hatched on October 9. The chick is a first for its parents and is the first sunbittern ever hatched at Zoo Atlanta. The team incubated and hatched the chick behind the scenes and then returned it to Mom and Dad, who are doing a great job raising it! Unusual fact: A hurricane has marked every significant life event for this chick. The egg was laid during Sally, hatched during Delta, and the team saw the first signs of fledging during Zeta. #OnlyZooATL

When Danica W. joined the Giant Panda Care Team, Lun Lun was a full-time mom. Since then, she's gotten to learn more about Lun Lun's distinctive personality sans kids. Read more in today's panda update! #ZAPandas #OnlyZooATL (photos by Danica W.) Over the past three years as a member of the Giant Panda Care Team, I've really gotten to know the pandas here at Zoo Atlanta and all of their quirky traits. All bear species, not just giant pandas, are full of personality, and eac...h individual has behaviors and mannerisms that make them unique. When I first started working with Lun Lun, she was a full-time panda mom taking care of rambunctious Ya Lun and Xi Lun. During that time, she was a very "down to business" panda, with her sole focus being on making sure her cubs were cared for and that she was eating enough to nurse them. I really got to know Lun Lun as an individual after the cubs were weaned and she had time to be herself and decide how she wanted to spend her days. Some days she feels like sleeping in well past 9 a.m.; other days she is up and ready to go right when we get here. One day she is all about interacting with her enrichment, and sometimes all she cares about is finding the freshest piece of bamboo to devour. She has her favorite sleeping spots, places she likes to kick back and eat, and scents she just can't help but self-anoint with every time she encounters them. It's so fun to observe all of the different traits our pandas at Zoo Atlanta have, despite being cared for by the same group of people in the same environment. They are very much like us in the sense that no two individuals are quite the same. Lun Lun is silly, sassy, smart, curious, and so fun to take care of. Between the four of the giant pandas, we definitely never have a dull day around here! --Danica W. Keeper II, Mammals

Pongo fans! Be sure to catch "Pongo's Gift," followed by "Turnip Greens," "Being Brave," and "Bess and the Knife," four stories from orangutan lovers from around AZA, as we continue celebrating Orangutan Caring Week with Part Two of "Nineteen Stories About Orangutans." If you missed Part One, catch up on Orangutan SSP, and stay tuned later this week for Parts Three and Four! #OrangutanCaringWeek #OrangutanAwarenessWeek #ossp #WeCareAboutOrangutans

#Ssspectacular news! Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience is now back open! We know many of our Members and guests have missed (or is it missssssed) this Zoo destination -- come explore (or re-explore) the tropical worlds of more than 70 species of reptiles and amphibians. Sssee you there! #OnlyZooATL (Gaboon viper video by Ash T.)

You know the squeegee ... that beloved tool that helps us keep the glass clean at the giant panda complex. But what happens when the twins decide they want to play? Find out more in today's panda update from Amanda D. #ZAPandas #OnlyZooATL (video by Amanda D.) Recently while the Panda Care Team was cleaning the glass that separates the dayroom from one of the outdoor spaces, the twins immediately ran over to investigate what we were up to. Before our presence had caught thei...r attention, they had been playing and chasing each other around in the dayroom, but it only took seconds for Ya Lun and Xi Lun to come over once they knew what we were up to. Both the girls love to jump up and swipe at the squeegee as it goes by, and so we spent a good 15 minutes playing with them before finishing up our task. Ya Lun, who was still in a really playful mood, took the opportunity to catch her sister off guard while she was distracted by the squeegee and jump on her. --Amanda D. Keeper I, Mammals

Alpaca lotta joy! #OnlyZooATL (video by Megan H.)

If you've been thinking about dusting off -- or discovering or rediscovering -- your artistic talents at this month's Virtual Art Gone Wild, there's not much time to register! Registration closes at 8 a.m. EST tomorrow (Wednesday) for tomorrow night's program. We want to see your giraffe painting! https://zooatlanta.org/event/virtual-art-gone-wild/ #OnlyZooATL

Boo at the Zoo ... weekend two! If you're planning to join us for the second weekend of Boo at the Zoo presented by Georgia Natural Gas this Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25, here's a spooktacular heads-up: reservations are going fast! We had a sell-out opening weekend, and expect spots to go just as quickly this weekend, so get those timed reservations now to join us in Zoo Boo Town. Timed reservations and more info here: https://zooatlanta.org/event/boo-at-the-zoo/ #OnlyZooATL

Who *dares* to videobomb our majestic moment?! Rude! #OnlyZooATL (video by Sarah S.)

Enjoy a great kickoff to Orangutan Caring Week with Part One of "Nineteen Stories About Orangutans" on Orangutan SSP Facebook. #OrangutanCaringWeek #OrangutanAwarenessWeek #WeCareAboutOrangutans #ossp

Eat. Have snoozefest. Sounds like an idyllic day in the life of a giant panda! Amanda D. shares more in today's panda update. #ZAPandas #OnlyZooATL (photo by Amanda D.) Yesterday was a quiet and relaxing day in PandaLand. Danica and I set up one outdoor habitat for Lun Lun, and the other for Xi Lun and Ya Lun. After we were done training with Ya Lun and Xi Lun, we shifted them out to the outdoor space. Xi Lun ate some bamboo, but only briefly, before deciding to curl up and g...et comfy in the cave. Ya Lun, however, happily ate bamboo and foraged for leafeater biscuits for a while before deciding she was full and ready to join the snooze fest. It seems like Yang Yang and Lun Lun were also on the same page, as Lun went to her favorite spot (the hammock) almost immediately once in the other outdoor habitat. In the dayroom, Yang Yang went to his typical napping spot right up against the glass. --Amanda D. Keeper I, Mammals

It's Orangutan Caring Week! On behalf of Madu, Remy, Keju, Biji, Benny, Blaze, Pongo, Miri, Satu and Pelari, their counterparts in AZA zoos across North America, and their critically endangered cousins living in the wild, please challenge yourself to learn more about the everyday steps you can take to protect these irreplaceable great apes. Help us raise awareness! Follow Orangutan SSP throughout the week for more. We'll also be sharing "Nineteen Stories About Orangutans," a four-part series of "Radio Shows" curated by Karin Konoval, where you'll get to hear moving real-life stories about our favorite redheads. #OrangutanCaringWeek #OrangutanAwarenessWeek #ossp #wecareaboutorangutans #OnlyZooATL

A cool evening with friends, a fun way to create one-of-a-kind art for your own home, or a unique gift idea for a loved one ... plus, paint a giraffe?! If you said "yes," "yes," "yes," or "yes," don't miss out on the registration deadline for our October Virtual Art Gone Wild, coming up this Wednesday, October 21! Registration closes at 8 a.m. EST on Wednesday. https://zooatlanta.org/event/virtual-art-gone-wild/ #OnlyZooATL

A question we get a LOT ... times two = How do you tell the panda twins apart? Our first answer is to look at their eye markings, but there may be more to these distinctions in pandas than was previously thought. Michelle E. shares more on an interesting study in today's panda update. Enjoy! #ZAPandas #OnlyZooATL People often ask us how to tell Ya Lun and Xi Lun apart, and our go-to answer is to look at their eye markings. Xi Lun has very distinctive eye markings which turn u...pward in the bottom corners, much like cat-eye makeup. This is very useful to us, but there’s a chance it is also useful to giant pandas! A 2008 study sought to discover whether giant pandas have the cognitive skills to tell the difference between the eye markings of other pandas. They began with shapes that were fairly easy to discriminate between and slowly made the challenges more difficult. Eventually, the two juvenile giant pandas in the study were being asked to tell the difference between shapes that closely mimicked giant panda eye markings that were only subtly different from one another, and they excelled! What’s more, they remembered these discriminations when tested again six and twelve months later! This doesn’t necessarily mean that giant pandas use the eye markings to tell each other apart, but this experiment shows that it is possible. There could be many purposes behind the coloring of those famous panda faces, and every study adds to our knowledge about them. This November, I am thankful for all of the amazing the scientists who seek out knowledge and expand our understanding of the world’s amazing creatures! Paper Citation: Dungl, E., Schratter, D., & Huber, L. (2008). Discrimination of face-like patterns in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 122(4), 335343. https://doi.org/10.1037/0735-7036.122.4.335 --Michelle E. Keeper III, Mammals

Ever her adoring subjects, the Orangutan Care Team planned a very special celebration for Biji's 50th! To honor the year of her birth (1970), Biji enjoyed paper mache disco balls filled with hay and produce; wrapped birthday boxes filled with hay and popcorn; and an ice cake made with frozen fruit and diluted juice. The cake and the 50 ice treat also featured peanuts. The guest of honor also enjoyed a burlap bag a softer seat for an older ape, plus a fun cover if desired, just because! Biji also enjoyed a second party behind the scenes, filled with even more favorite things. Happy birthday, Biji! We are so grateful to get to celebrate this milestone with you, and we honor you and your amazing care team with love and admiration today! (Photos by Lynn Y.) #OnlyZooATL

Stop in for a few minutes of Zoo Zen! Your beautiful feathered friends in the Grigsby Aviary have taken over the cam in this week's Friday PandaCam Takeover. On now at zooatlanta.org/pandacam! #OnlyZooATL www.zooatlanta.org/pandacam

It is with *great* fanfare that we brachiate on over to today’s biggest news. Biji, the oldest orangutan at Zoo Atlanta, is 50 today! Stay tuned as we'll be sharing more from birthday festivities fit for a queen! #OnlyZooATL (video: Caroline S.)

What's 300 pounds, has a way with the ladies, and enjoys fresh kale? If you haven't made it to one of our monthly Wild on the Rocks Virtual Happy Hours, you don't want to miss this one! On October 29, Associate Curator of Primates Jodi Carrigan regales us with "Silverback Stories: The Lives and Times of Zoo Atlanta's Most Eligible Bachelors." Sit back with this month's featured cocktail, the Harvest Punch, and take a peek into the little black books of Willie B., Ivan, Ozzie and Taz! Reservations include a Zoom link and this month's make-at-home cocktail recipe. Capacity is limited -- book your spot today! https://zooatlanta.org/event/wildontherocks/

Take time for a cuteness break with some exciting new friends! Meet Chica and Spot, the newest members of our African Savanna animal population and the soon-to-be-newest members of our meerkat mob! These lovely gals are sisters, and they recently joined us from the Fort Worth Zoo. They'll soon be introduced to males Kingsley, Littlefoot, Petrie and Spike. We know the group will be more dynamic than ever -- stop by to say hi to Chica and Spot at the meerkat complex! #OnlyZooATL

How do you get a female lemur to accept a monthly birth control injection voluntarily? It's one of the many ways positive reinforcement training and trust between animals and their care teams are so important. Kathryn G. shares more about how this is accomplished with Luna and Malaky in this week's #KeeperStories. Read on! #OnlyZooATL There is a cool, crisp feeling in the air as October has finally rolled around and everyone is getting ready for spooky season. At Zoo Atlant...Continue reading

November 3 marks the fifth annual One Health Day. One Health recognizes the connection between people, animals, plants, and our shared environment, so we can better work together to achieve the best health outcomes for all. Learn more about these connections, as well as how a One Health approach can help stop the spread of pandemics like COVID-19 and other diseases. Please share and learn more at cdc.gov/onehealth. #OneHealthDay

It's a bittersweet panda update for Danica W. today -- it's her last panda update before she heads off to new adventures up north! Read more about what she'll miss, what she's learned, and what (and who) she'll always keep close to her heart. We'll miss you, Danica! #ZAPandas #OnlyZooATL Happy Monday, everyone! It is with bittersweet feelings that I share today is my last panda update, and I’m headed for a new adventure up north. Since becoming a Swing Keeper in the Mammal D...Continue reading

Ever heard of a Fish-o-Lantern? Given the sheer diversity of animal diets at the Zoo, everybody likes something a little different in their "o-Lantern!" Here, Bakairi and Toca the giant otters are enjoying theirs! #OnlyZooATL (video courtesy of Amy H.)