A baby Aardvark born last summer at the Prague Zoo recently explored his outdoor enclosure for the first time with his mother, Kvida.
Photo Credit: Prague Zoo
The baby, named Kito, munched on some tasty mealworms - an Aardvark favorite - during his big adventure. Kito’s expedition took place on a recent sunny winter day, and keepers report that Kito was very curious about his surroundings. He climbed over logs and squeezed in between rocks, testing his skills. Weighing nearly 50 pounds, Kito is strong and healthy. In the wild, baby Aardvarks remain with their mothers for about a year before moving off to live on their own.
Aardvarks are native to Africa, where they emerge from burrows at night to feed on ants and termites. They break open termite mounds using powerful font legs, and insects are taken up using their long, sticky tongue. Up to 50,000 insects can be consumed in one night.
At this time, Aardvarks are not under threat, and so are listed as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
A recognized leader in animal care and conservation, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium recently announced that it has welcomed a 10-week-old orphaned Southern Sea Otter pup (Enhydra lutris nereis) to the aquarium as part of a collaborative partnership with Monterey Bay Aquarium – a leader in ocean conservation, and science and conservation of the threatened marine mammal species.
Now weighing about 11 pounds, the female pup arrived at Shedd on January 27 from Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California, where she was estimated to be 4 weeks old. The pup is receiving care behind the scenes in Shedd’s Regenstein Sea Otter Nursery from a team of dedicated animal trainers and veterinarians. She is the third pup from the endangered Southern Sea Otter population to reside at Shedd. Known as “Pup 719” (which refers to the number of otters taken into Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Program since its inception in 1984) she is currently achieving critical milestones in her growth.
Pup 719’s stranding is a vivid example of how our changing environment is impacting animal habitats on the west coast. Unusually high ocean temperatures associated with El Niño caused heavy storms in January, which may have been a factor in separating Pup 719 from her mother. Additionally, elevated ocean temperatures can be associated with a reduction in kelp cover, shrinking the habitat available to Sea Otters. The latest National Weather Service status for the current El Niño system ranks it among the three strongest episodes dating back to 1950. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration noted 2015 as the Earth’s warmest year on record.
“We might be facing record numbers of Southern Sea Otter strandings that may be associated with storms caused by El Niño, our role as stewards and caretakers for these animals is as critical as ever,” said Karl Mayer, animal care coordinator for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea Otter Program.
“There are limited options for stranded otters: reuniting with mother in the wild, rearing for release by a surrogate Sea Otter mother like the one of a kind program at Monterey Bay Aquarium or being placed in an AZA accredited zoo or aquarium. If those options are not available, pups may unfortunately have to be humanely euthanized,” said Tim Binder, executive vice president of animal care for Shedd. “Organizations like Monterey Bay Aquarium are doing critical work to try and reunite these species and when there are no other options – Shedd stands at the ready to assist in urgent animal care needs like providing a permanent home for Pup 719.”
As she acclimates to her new surroundings at Shedd, Pup 719 continues to achieve many important milestones which include eating solid foods such as shrimp and clams, foraging for food, grooming on her own and interacting with Shedd’s animal care team.
The pup was found alone on January 6 on Carmel Beach in Carmel, California. Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Program staff, who are first responders for stranded Sea Otters, were alerted to the stranding by local animal control officials. After an unsuccessful attempt to locate the mother through the pup’s cries, the little otter was brought to the aquarium’s veterinary intensive care unit. She was given a thorough exam and estimated to be four weeks old based on development of her teeth, her size and behavior.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Otter Program has been studying and helping recover the endangered Southern Sea Otter since 1984. The program works with wildlife rescue facilities and other aquariums, such as Shedd, to respond to every sea otter that comes ashore in distress along California’s coast.
Stranded Sea Otter pups require extensive around-the-clock care and only a handful of facilities in the United States have available space, staff and experience to provide the appropriate care. Currently, 12 institutions across North America, including Shedd, provide homes for 39 non-releasable Southern Sea otters. Shedd officials and animal care staff quickly accepted Monterey Bay Aquarium’s call to provide the stranded pup with a permanent home. To ensure the pup receives everything she needs, a rotating team of six to eight animal care experts provides care and attention, near around the clock.
The rescue is another success story in the continued partnership between Shedd and Monterey Bay Aquariums. In 2014, the aquariums partnered to rescue Luna, a stranded Sea Otter that needed intensive care and rehabilitation due to her very young age. When she arrived at Shedd, animal care staff taught the pup “how to be an otter,” helping her reach critical milestones like foraging for food, grooming herself and regulating her body temperature.
“The rescue and continued care of Pup 719 was truly a team effort, and a testament to both organizations’ commitment to the conservation and rehabilitation of animals,” said Binder. “Southern Sea Otters are a keystone species, playing a disproportionately large role in the health of their ecosystems. Their threatened population needs immediate attention from animal care experts and scientists alike.”
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies Sea Otters as “Threatened” on its Red List due to the slow recovery of Southern Sea Otter population in California. Today, while California Sea Otters are at 95 percent of the number set by federal officials as a recovery goal, they remain vulnerable to the risk of a major offshore oil spill. Population growth is limited by white shark predation and limited food in their narrow coastal range.
in many ways to me aardvarks feel like the Dutchest animal
Burgers’ Zoo, in the Netherlands, recently welcomed an adorable wrinkled new resident. A baby Aardvark was born the beginning of February!
The cub is healthy and has been tended carefully by mom and monitored by zookeepers.
Burgers’ Zoo, under the authority of the EAZA, manages the European breeding program for the Aardvark. They are the only zoo in the Netherlands to house this special species.
Photo Credits: Burgers' Zoo
The Aardvark (Orycteropus afer) is a medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal mammal that is native to Africa. It is the only living species of the order Tubulidentata.
According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): “Aardvarks were originally thought to be congeneric with the South American Anteaters (Myrmecophaga), until they were put in their own genus: Orycteropus. After 1872, Aardvarks were also put in their own order: the Tubulidentata. But this order was long considered to be closely related to the Xenarthrans and the Pangolins in the now obsolete clade "Edentata" (Lehmann 2007). It is only since the beginning of the 20th century, that Aardvarks have been considered to be basal "ungulates". It was also at this time that the seven then recognized species were merged into the single species Orycteropus afer (Shoshani et al. 1988). Since then, Tubulidentata is the only order of Mammals to be represented by a single living species. To date, 18 subspecies have been described (Meester 1971). However, their validity is doubtful and studies in this regard are ongoing. Finally, at the turn of the millennium, molecular phylogenetic analyses integrated the Aardvarks into the new super-cohort Afrotheria, next to Elephants, Hyraxes, Sea-cows, Sengis, Tenrecs, and Golden Moles.”
The Aardvark is stout with a prominently arched back and is sparsely covered in coarse hair. The limbs are moderate length, with the rear legs being longer than the forelegs. Their weight is typically between 130 and 180 lbs. (60 and 80 kg). Their length is usually between 3.44 and 4.27 feet (105 and 130 cm). They are typically 24 inches tall (60 cm). The Aardvark is pale yellowish gray in color and often stained reddish brown by soil it sorts through. The coat is thin, and the skin is tough.
The Aardvark is nocturnal and feeds almost exclusively on ants and termites. They will emerge from their burrow in late afternoon and forage for food over a range of about 6 to 18 miles from home. While foraging, they keep the nose to ground and ears pointed forward. When concentrations of ants or termites are detected, the Aardvark digs into the mound with powerful front legs and will take up the insects with their long, sticky tongue. It is possible for the animal to take in as many as 50,000 ants and termites in one night.
The Aardvark is mostly quiet, but will make soft grunting sounds as it forages and louder grunts when engaged in burrowing.
Aardvarks have a gestation of about seven months. They generally give birth to a single cub from May to July. When born, the young have flaccid ears and many wrinkles. After two weeks, the folds of skin disappear and after three weeks the ears are upright. At 5-6 weeks, body hair starts growing. They are weaned by about 16 weeks, and can dig their own burrow by 6 months of age. The young often remain with the mother till the next mating season.
The Aardvark is currently classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. According the IUCN, “Potential threats to the species have not been quantified. However, the bushmeat trade in African savannas may pose a genuine threat to Aardvark populations in some countries (e.g. Zambia, Mozambique). Localized threats include habitat loss due to agriculture and subsistence hunting…The meat is prized, while other parts of the Aardvark, such as the skin, claws and teeth, are used to make bracelets, charms and curios, and for some medicinal purposes (Carpaneto and Germi 1989).”
A baby Linnaeus’s Two-toed Sloth arrived at the National Aviary last week, and guests can get “up close and fuzzy” with the new arrival when he begins his role as an animal ambassador.
Photo Credit: National Aviary
Born October 31, the baby Sloth is about 10 inches long and weighs about two pounds. He’s already weaned from his mother, and the staff is feeding him every two hours. He gets a daily check from the veterinary staff and daily weigh-ins to make sure he’s adjusting well to his new home.
The little Sloth does not yet have a name, but aviary staff will give the public an opportunity to suggest names in a few weeks.
Dr. Fish, the aviary’s Director of Veterinary Medicine, says, “All baby Sloths stop nursing at around one month old. He is very strong, eating well, and meeting all his landmarks for a three-month-old Sloth. This age is the ideal time [to introduce him to our staff] because he is old enough and can start to bond with his caregivers. It is similar to puppies being adopted at 8 weeks old.”
Keepers will begin teaching the Sloth to interact with people by using positive reinforcement and enrichment. He will be able to choose his behaviors and be rewarded for positive actions. In a few months, the baby Sloth will participate in daily encounters with aviary guests.
Linnaeus’s Two-toed Sloths are native to South America, where they spend most of their lives in the rain forest canopy. They are well-known for being slow-moving, a trait which is linked to their diet. The leaves and buds that Sloths consume provide very little energy or nutrients and can take a month or more to digest. Huge hooked claws are just right for hanging from tree branches. Sloths descend to the ground only about once a week for toileting. Otherwise, they eat, sleep and even have their babies while hanging from tree branches.
As a human rights educator for a decade, I strive to include resources that are accessible on multiple levels. Working with high school and university students, as well as people of all ages educated outside of these institutions means that it is important to mirror that diversity in content. Education and learning come in multiples forms, and anti-racism work is most valuable when it becomes embedded into the way we live our lives and the media we regularly consume. I get asked regularly about how to begin conversations with friends or family about these issues, so I wanted to put together a quick list of the top 5 of tools that I have found useful to begin/further dialogues about race.
1. One of the very first, and still one of my favorite resources is a ‘Tools for Liberation Packet’ called “Building a Multi-Ethnic, Inclusive & Antiracist Organization“ from Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence (SPAN) Produced in 2005, it is thorough and goes into great detail on the multiple layers of racism and how they play out institutionally. It also outlines the necessary investment that larger organizations, boards, and CEOs need to make in order to implement and maintain the changes outlined in the packet. One page that personally resonates outlines the the way that women of color are penalized in organizations for working to shift injustice, and ultimately pay for it with our jobs. Crediting Kimberle Crenshaw for her game changing work on intersectionality, this resource furthers the conversation across multiple identities.
2. The article Black Deaf Culture Through The Lens of Black Deaf History” is the most recently updated resource on the list. It includes a brief history of Black Deaf People in the U.S., rising stars, national advocates, as well as Black Deaf people in leadership and entertainment. Importantly, it describes some of the long standing exclusion of Black Deaf folks as they “were not the focus of national civil rights organizations such as NAACP, SCLC, and the National Urban League. The Black Deaf community had no communication access with these national civil rights organizations and their leaders.” BONUS: Check out the work of De’Lasha Singleton Deaf Black mother and domestic violence advocate.
3. The artwork of Oakland Based Afro-Peruvian Favianna Rodriguez is both iconic and instructive. With so many incredible illustrations featuring a variety of issues from reproductive health to food deserts, her images are solid starting points for complex conversations and necessary affirmations for those on the front lines.
4. Black Twitter has already been recognized as a tangible hub of credibility with their own wikipedia page and with articles across multiple news sources including the New York Times . ‘Feminista Jones described it inSalon as “a collective of active, primarily African-American Twitter users who have created a virtual community … [and are] proving adept at bringing about a wide range of sociopolitical changes.” ask she asks whether “Twitter is the underground railroad of activism?” I would also add that Black Tumblr also shares valuable content, less of the quick commentary that comes with Twitter, but both serve a unique purpose.
If you are learning from people online and are able to, consider subscribing to their content or supporting their online genius in other ways (i.e. their Amazon lists). I subscribe to Bad Dominicana on Patreon and my life is all the better for it.
5. The Movement, an original series from .Mic, is dedicated to proving that the most brilliant solutions to addressing a community’s challenges come from the community itself. It features senior correspondent Darnell Moore.
From the site,
“The new show is dedicated to the individuals who fight to reclaim and recover marginalized communities across America. Rooted in activism, The Movement highlights positive stories in marginalized communities, the stories that aren’t being covered by the media and aren’t being discussed on the campaign trail. In the face of unlikely odds, the work and dedication of these individuals is lifting up young lives, and transforming their communities for the better. This series is about — and for — the invisible heroes making a difference.”
No resource is entirely effective given the complexities of racism. It is important to seek out first person accounts from a variety of different communities across gender, ability, sexuality and location. These are most valuable for people living these experiences to engage with, deconstruct & build community.
If you think that Black women are not an integral part of hip-hop at every level, you’re late. These dope women offer an oft overlooked glimpse into the talent that is female MC’s. Not only are they particularly skilled at assembling rhythmic prose, Set It Off (The Cypher) reveals their commitment to critiquing BLASTING interlocking systems of power and oppression. With DJ Lisa Decibel providing the track, these Black girls embrace everything from spirituality to racism and queer pride.
Here are some of my favorite lines, in order of appearance.
From Freddie Old School (@FreddieFarted): “You overweight and this survival of fittest. No offense to big women. I like em thick, and the way they move they bodies when they full off confidence.”
From J Bambii (@Oprah_Gucci): “And when freestyle serves as a meditation, hit the Cardi B. laugh. Yall just entertainment.”
From Brittney (@_BrittneyCarter): “I heard through the grapevine that the world mine. Like them Cherokee Indians: land mine. Yo I’m just tryna blow, land mine. Tell Christopher Columbus this land mine!”
From EssieL (@EssieIsARapper): “Menace to society because of dykery but I been chasing women since my diapers stink and hide and seek.”
From Syd Shaw (@AfroSydtricity): “We don’t die we multiply. Somebody tell em queen arrived.”
From Bella Bahhs (@BellaBahhs): “Misogyny just died and I’m the culprit. This the eulogy. Puttin it under 6 feet. Honorary pallbearers so we came six deep.”
The trailblazing science fiction writer, a Black woman in a white male dominated genre, who explored issues of race, gender, and power in beautifully imaginative and captivating works, died a decade ago.
Her notes and personal journals are now housed in the Huntington Library, and last week this wonderful “note to self” made the internet rounds. It was written circa 1988, after the publication of Kindred and the Patternist series (my personal favorite), but before she wrote the Parable novels that solidified her fame. She’d go on to win a MacArthur Genius grant and be inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame.
In a 2000 interview, Butler explained why she was drawn to writing: “You got to make your own worlds. You got to write yourself in. Whether you were a part of the greater society or not, you got to write yourself in. So I wrote myself in.” It’s amazing to see how she did this with her own life — writing it down and willing it into existence. So be it! See to it!
I also love that while many of her goals are altruistic (helping her mother and “poor black youngsters”) and charmingly modest (hiring a car when she needs to), she is unapologetically ambitious. She wants millions of people to read her books. She wants them to be not just good or well-received but best-selling. In a culture in which women writers are expected to adopt a self-deprecating posture and act as though any success they receive is a somewhat surprising and not-at-all-sought-after side effect of their work, it’s thrilling to see Butler owning her desire for fame — if only to herself.
The hilarious Samantha Bee — whose new late-night show Full Frontal, the first ever to be hosted by a woman, premiered last night — brings us what I’ll call the Nike Theory of Increasing Diversity: just fucking do it.
In sharp contrast to other late night shows, which are seemingly incapable of hiring more than one or two women or people of color, Full Frontal‘s writing room is 50 percent women and 30 percent of color. Bee recently explained her secret:
“In the entertainment industry in particular, there are seminars and … work groups about creating diversity when, really, the fucking thing you have to do is just hire people. It’s not really the most complicated transaction. Find some diverse people and actually give them jobs.”
Yup, we also believe that a commitment to just doing the damn thing is a pretty key first step in building a more diverse workplace — whether writers’ room or publication.
Bee and showerrunner Jo Miller went on to discuss in detail how they adjusted the hiring process to ensure that they got strong applicants beyond the (mostly white male) usual suspects who are already well-established in the comedy world. They set up a blind submission process — with identifying info stripped — to remove the potential for bias, offered detailed application guidelines on how scripts should be formatted so that even newbies unfamiliar with the process would be able to turn in polished apps, and pro-actively reached out for recommendations beyond existing comedy communities.
Perhaps most importantly, they don’t think they’ve done enough. Miller said in particular that their outreach to people of color needs to improve. But they’re committed to being open about their successes and failures to help make the whole media landscape better. “If we find that we’re trying to get women and people of color to apply and no one’s applying, let’s find out why,” Miller tells Vox. “Is it because of a pipeline problem, that people don’t have the skills? Let’s see what we can do about that.” One thing they plan to try: a mentorship program for aspiring comedy writers “who don’t formally have access to this world, who want to be in this world, who have no idea how to get there.”
Hollywood producer Ross Putnam sees a lot of script with a lot of cringeworthy introductions to female characters. Now, he’s sharing them on his new Twitter account, @femscriptintros. Each character’s name has been replaced with “JANE,” which might be jarring if all of the intros didn’t seem to describe exactly the same woman: casually beautiful, “as adorable as she is sexy.”
A gorgeous woman, JANE, 23, is a little tipsy, dancing naked on her big bed, as adorable as she is sexy. *BONUS PTS FOR BEING THE 1ST LINE — Ross Putman (@femscriptintros) February 10, 2016
All heads turn to find JANE (28) in the doorway: stunning and trying her best to hide it. — Ross Putman (@femscriptintros) February 10, 2016
JANE (late 20s) sits hunched over a microscope. She’s attractive, but too much of a professional to care about her appearance. — Ross Putman (@femscriptintros) February 10, 2016
JANE, 28, athletic but sexy. A natural beauty. Most days she wears jeans, and she makes them look good. — Ross Putman (@femscriptintros) February 10, 2016
The Maryland Zoo, in Baltimore, recently welcomed a male Lesser Kudu on December 18, 2015…the first Lesser Kudu to be born at the Zoo!
The Zoo also welcomed two more members of the genus Tragelaphus, female Sitatunga calves born on December 7 and Christmas Day, 2015. The girls are the third and fourth Sitatunga calves born this season at the Zoo, joining males Riri and Carl (born in April and June respectively).
Photo Credits: The Maryland Zoo / Images 1,2,5,6 : Lesser Kudu / Images 3 and 4 : Sitatunga
The first of the female Sitatunga calves was born to two-year-old Remy and has been named Jess by zookeepers. She currently weighs approximately 21 pounds. The second female calf, named Noel, weighed almost 15 pounds at her last health check. Her mother is two-year-old Mousse. Eight-year-old Lou sired both girls.
“Both calves are healthy and are being well cared for by their mothers, inside the warmth of the Africa Barn,” stated Carey Ricciardone, Mammal Collection and Conservation Manager at the Zoo. “As a first time dam, Mousse is very protective of Noel, but Remy is a much more relaxed mother.”
Both calves will remain behind the scenes in the barn until warm weather returns.
The male Lesser Kudu calf, Kaiser, was born to two-year-old Meringue and sired by five-year-old Ritter. “This little guy has long, spindly legs and huge ears right now; he’s adorable,” continued Ricciardone. “Meringue is taking great care of him and we are pleased with his progress so far.”
Kaiser stands about three-feet-tall and weighs in at 26 pounds. He will also remain off exhibit with his mother until spring.
Lesser Kudu (Tragelaphus imberbis australis) are one of eight species of African spiral-horned antelope. Male Lesser Kudu horns can grow to be 72 inches long, with 2 ½ twists. In the wild, they live in dry, densely thicketed scrub and woodlands of northern east Africa. Interestingly, they rarely drink water, apparently getting enough liquid from the plants that they eat.
At the Maryland Zoo, the Lesser Kudu can be found in the African Watering Hole exhibit along with Addra Gazelle and Saddle-billed Storks.
The Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii) is a species of antelope native to Central Africa. They live in semi-aquatic swamps, marshes and flood plains. Outside of protected areas, Sitatunga are vulnerable to over-hunting and habitat loss, as people drain and develop swampland. Currently, however, Sitatunga are not officially classified as threatened or endangered. The Maryland Zoo’s Sitatunga herd is made up of twelve animals, including the new calves, and can be found in two exhibit spaces along the boardwalk in the African Journey section of the Zoo.
All three of the calves’ births are the result of a recommendation from the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for each species, coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). SSPs provide breeding recommendations to maximize genetic diversity, with the goal of ensuring the long-term survival of the captive population and the health of individual animals.
Hi, my name is Gryffindor, but you can call me Gryff or Gryffin. I love playing in the snow and could spend all day outside! My mom sometimes calls me "bunny" because I love hopping around in the snow. I love giving endless kisses and I love playing fetch! I have so much energy it sometimes drives my whole family crazy. (I tend to jump on the couch when I get too excited even though I'm not allowed to--oops.) I love going for long walks and taking even longer naps! My favorite way to spend the day is playing in the snow, going for a long walk then cuddling next to my mom while we watch movie.
Djamila, the Vietnamese Pot-bellied Pig, hit lucky number 7 with the birth of her litter. The piglets arrived January 27 at Tierpark Berlin.
The farrow has been happily confined to their stable, where it is warm and cozy. Except for the occasional squeak or wriggle, the piglets are content to stay close to mom, for now.
Photo Credits: Tierpark Berlin
Djamila is a ‘native’ Berliner and was born at the Zoo in 2011. The Tierpark Berlin introduced this dwarf breed to Europe in 1958.
The Pot-bellied Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) is a domesticated pig originating in Vietnam. Considerably smaller than standard American or European farm pigs, adults can weigh about 43 to 136 kg (100 to 300 lb).
Pot-bellied Pigs are considered fully-grown by six years of age, when the epiphyseal plates in the long bones of the legs finally close.
Because Pot-bellied Pigs are the same species as ordinary farmyard pigs and wild boars, they are capable of interbreeding. However, a 2004 study revealed extreme genetic diversity in indigenous Vietnamese Pot-bellied Pigs. They were also genetically different from each other according to location of origin in Vietnam.
The Pot-bellied Pig is a popular pet, but many breeders recommend the spaying or neutering of both sexes at a young age if the owner does not wish to breed them. Many local laws also require licensed pet pigs to be neutered to reduce aggression. The hooves and tusks are also recommended to be trimmed.
Sadly, Pot-bellied Pigs are often abandoned when owners discover that these pigs actually grow to larger sizes and require more care than they believed. Others are forced to give up pet pigs due to local ordinances.
Vietnamese Pot-bellied Pig associations recommend adoption from local shelters instead of buying. Others like the Southern California Association for Miniature Pot-bellied Pigs and the California Pot-bellied Pig Association are actively involved in housing abandoned pet pigs. Despite this, shelters often have difficulty in finding new homes for abandoned pigs.
Prague Zoo is celebrating yet another breeding success. On January 20, a baby Giant Anteater was born. For Prague Zoo it is the first baby anteater born in its breeding history. The proud parents are mom, Ella, and dad, Hannibal, who arrived at the zoo in summer 2014.
A baby Giant Anteater is truly an exceptional sight; it looks like a miniature version of its parents, and spends the first few weeks on its mother's back. When visitors carefully focus on the mom Ella, they will see the small anteater holding firmly on to her.
Photo Credits: Prague Zoo /Petr Hamerník (Image 1) and Miroslav Bobek (Image 2)
Ella and Hannibal came to Prague Zoo in 2014, after a twelve-year break in the breeding of Giant Anteaters. Ella comes from Warsaw, and Hannibal from Madrid. They both grew accustomed to their new environment quite quickly, but it took roughly three months for them to bond. A certain role in this may also have been played by the fact that, in nature, male anteaters are normally larger than females, but for the Prague pair it was the opposite case. Ella, who is now three years old, was roughly one quarter larger than Hannibal when she arrived, and weighed ten kilograms more, even though they are both the same age.
Ella takes exemplary care of her baby, and, when she feels danger, actively defends it. The baby anteater currently weighs 1,990 grams (4.4 lb), and is doing well. Starting February 5, visitors to Prague Zoo have been able to see him in the ‘Exhibition of Giant Anteaters’.
For now, the mother and baby spend most of their time in the nesting box, which will remain covered for some time. Visitors will have the greatest chance of seeing them when Ella walks to the exhibition next door, where she gets fed around noon.
Giant Anteaters arrived in Prague Zoo in the 1950s, but attempts to breed them always ended in failure. That is why this year's baby is a huge success, and the breeders themselves are, obviously, extremely happy with the birth.
The Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), also known as the Ant Bear, is a large insectivorous mammal native to Central and South America. It is one of four living species of anteaters and is classified with sloths in the order Pilosa.
Giant Anteaters have a very peculiar appearance. Their tubular snout conceals a long, sticky tongue up to 60 cm long. They specialize in collecting social insects, especially termites and ants, of which they can consume up to 30 thousand a day (in the zoo they are fed a special mash). They rake apart hard termite mounds using their strong, long claws.
The Giant Anteater is classified as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. According to the IUCN: “Myrmecophaga tridactyla is at risk from habitat loss in parts of its range, and this is a significant threat to Central American populations in particular. Where this species inhabits grassland habitats it is particularly susceptible to fires. In Brazil, burning of sugar cane plantations prior to their harvest leads to the death of significant numbers of giant anteaters due to severe burn injuries (F. Miranda pers. comm. 2013). Animals are sometimes killed on roads or by dogs. Giant anteaters are hunted for food throughout their distribution, and are additionally hunted as a pest, for pets or for illegal trade in some parts of their range.”
“It has been recorded from many protected areas. It is listed on several national Red Data lists, and is protected as a national heritage species in some provinces in Argentina. There is a need to improve fire management practices, especially in sugarcane plantations and within the regions of grassland habitat occupied by this species. Population and genetic data, as well as habitat use information, are needed, especially for areas that are being subjected to land use change. A reintroduction program is being carried out in Corrientes province, Argentina.”
this tiger cub looks like he was born on the set of Apocalypse Now
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ (JZG) first Tiger cub in 35 years will make her public debut on Saturday, February 13 at 10:00 a.m.
The 18-pound Sumatran Tiger cub will be on exhibit for the first time in JZG’s ‘Land of the Tiger’. The award-winning exhibit features a fortified trail system for her to explore that spans the length of two football fields—plenty of choices for the adventurous cub.
“It has been so much fun watching our Tiger cub grow and play, and I can’t wait to share her with our visitors,” said Elana Kopel, Senior Mammal Keeper at JZG. “It is my hope that when they see her, it inspires them to support the conservation of these incredible, endangered animals.”
Photo Credits: John Reed
This will be an exciting time for the cub, allowing her the first opportunity to explore her new surroundings with her feline curiosity. She has spent the first few months of her life in a den, off-exhibit, to encourage and strengthen the loving bond with her mother, Dorcas. Her impressive new home provides a fully immersive experience for both guests and animals, and JZG can’t wait to introduce the Jacksonville community to this adorable youngster.
The Zoo will also announce the cub’s name, given by a generous donor, when she makes her exhibit debut.
The cub was born in the early morning hours of November 19. She is the first Tiger born at JZG in 35 years and was the fifth Sumatran Tiger born in the U.S. in 2015. First-time mother Dorcas (also known as Lucy) is 4-years-old, and first-time dad, Berani, is 14-years-old.
Sumatran Tigers are the smallest of the six subspecies in existence today and are only found on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Originally, nine Tiger subspecies were found in parts of Asia but three have become extinct in the 20th century. Less than 400 Sumatran Tigers remain the wild. They are classified as “Critically Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
To combat extinction of Tigers in the wild, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens supports a Wildlife Protection Unit on the island of Sumatra. The unit patrols the national forest, removing traps and snares that harm Sumatran Tigers and their prey.
The lively cub is growing bigger each day and still has items on her wish list. Enrichment items like wind chimes, Boomer balls and bungee cords are an integral part of her daily care and enhance her well being. These toys can be purchased by anyone and shipped directly to the Zoo via JZG’s Amazon Wish List: www.jacksonvillezoo.org/wishlist.
A Beaded Lizard hatched on January 17, at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and more emerged on January 21 and 22!
This is the first successful Beaded Lizard hatching at the Zoo since 2000! The recommendation to breed this vulnerable lizard, which is protected under CITES II, comes from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.
Photo Credits: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The Beaded Lizard (Heloderma horridum) is found in rocky regions of Central and western Mexico, as well as down to northern Central America, but due to habitat loss and poaching their numbers are diminishing.
The Beaded Lizard (also known as the Mexican Beaded Lizard) is the most known of the four species of venomous lizards found in Mexico and Guatemala. The species is larger than the Gila Monster, but it has a more dull coloration-- black with yellow bands.
The lizard becomes sexually mature at six to eight years. The female lays a clutch of two to 30 eggs. In the wild, mating typically occurs between September and October. The eggs are usually laid between October and December, and they hatch the following June or July.
On January 20, 2016, the Toronto Zoo released a new video highlighting the first 100 days for their Giant Panda cubs. The 100-Day Celebration follows an ancient Chinese tradition that when a child reaches his or her 100th day of life, he or she has survived the risky fragility of infancy and may be considered on track for a successful future.
Photos and Video Courtesy: Toronto Zoo
Er Shun gave birth to these beautiful twin Panda cubs on October 13, 2015. Born at only 187 grams and 115 grams, these cubs have grown from tiny, pink, and hairless to strong, fuzzy Pandas with distinctive black and white markings.
"The Toronto Zoo is very honored to be participating in the Global Giant Panda Conservation Breeding Program and extremely proud of the births of Canada's first Giant Panda cubs," said Mr. John Tracogna, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Zoo. “We are very grateful for the ongoing partnerships with a number of institutions around the world who have contributed to our success,” he added.
The Toronto Zoo is hoping to introduce the Panda cubs to the public in mid-March. The Zoo would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of support for these cubs and for following them on this incredible journey.
"On behalf of the Board of Management, I want to commend the Zoo staff and particularly the Giant Panda keepers and the two Giant Panda specialists from China for their outstanding expertise, dedication and ongoing commitment to ensuring these precious cubs were given the best chance for survival," said Raymond Cho, Chair.
The Toronto Zoo would like to acknowledge the ongoing support from Chongqing Zoo and Chengdu Panda Base of Giant Panda Breeding for their expertise on raising baby Pandas, and also for providing them with two Giant Panda specialists whose knowledge and experience has been invaluable during this time.
You can also find more information here on ZooBorns. We have been following their story since birth and have provided (and will continue to provide) updates as released by the Zoo.
It’s hard to believe that Cute Overload has chronicled and celebrated over ten years of the most anerable, prosh, sweetest ani-pals and commentary. It’s been over ten years, with hundreds of thousands of comments, millions of page views, thousands of photos, countless awards, including five Webbys, and of course, hilarious captioning from Brinke, Mike, Pyrit, Prongs, Theo, Lisadorable, Chief Sister Officer, and Sparkster. But most of all, it’s always been about you, the faithful Cute Overload community. You made the site what it is, the best place to enjoy, barf rainbows and feel TEH QTE.
Today is our last day, and our last post. The time has come to say thank you to you all, our dear Peeps, and everyone that has worked so hard to make Cute Overload a decade of laughter, outraaaageous vocabulary, and endless squeals of delight. Your submeeshons over the years have given us great joy. And ‘tocks.
So why are we shutting down? Or giving up?! (kitten at left.) The landscape has changed for us over the last few years, personally and professionally. We’ve had two wonderful kids join Chief Puppy Officer in our home! At the same time, blogs like us that rely on advertising have struggled. You know we have downsized. We feel it’s time to say goodbye, and celebrate the tewtelly adorbs times we had, and not continue to cut back or change quality. We want to remember Cute Overload as the juggernaut that brought you joy. The brand, audience and content should be respected. Sure, there are a lot of ways to shut down or sell—whatever—we’ve considered it all, for a long time, and this is the way we’d like to go. We have a great copyrighted name, and may be back in some form at a later date, we’ll see.
We want to thank our tireless vendors WordPress VIP, The fine folks at BlogAds, the good people over at Workman Publishing, Google ads, and Cute Labs.
We’d like to encourage you to link to your favorite post in the comments. What was your favorite C.O. moment in the last decade? Favorite commentroversy? Favorite caption? Favorite glossary term or rule of Cuteness? We’d love to know. See you there.
A wild baby Sea Otter was born December 20th in the Great Tide Pool at Monterey Bay Aquarium!
For several days prior to the birth, a wild female Sea Otter had been using the protected basin of the Aquarium’s Great Tide Pool to rest from the winter storms. The night before her pup was born, just as the Aquarium closed, she was spotted slinking into the pool.
According to Monterey Bay staff, it’s rare for a healthy Sea Otter to visit the pool so frequently. The mystery was solved around 8:30 a.m. on December 20th when Aquarium staff witnessed a new pup resting on the proud new mom’s belly!
Photo Credits: Monterey Bay Aquarium
Since the event, Aquarium staff, volunteers, and visitors have made their way to watch a conservation success story take place.
Monterey Bay Aquarium will keep the public updated on this new otter family—even though mom may decide to head back out to the wild at any time. Currently though, she’s still grooming her pup and enjoying the comfort of the Great Tide Pool. Check out Monterey Bay Aquarium’s web page for further information: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/
The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Otter Program has been studying the threatened Southern Sea Otter since 1984 with the aim of understanding threats to the population and promoting its recovery. They also rescue, treat and release injured otters; raise and release stranded pups through a surrogate program; and seek homes for Sea Otters that can't return to the wild.
Southern Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) once ranged from Baja California to the Pacific Northwest. But, by the 1920s, they were almost extinct due to intensive hunting. They were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1977. Monterey Bay Aquarium and their partners have contributed to the protection of the Sea Otter population in California.
Recent research by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Aquarium suggests that the Sea Otter population growth rate is limited by food availability. Meanwhile, the risk of a major oil spill remains a serious threat.
Sea Otters are an iconic species, representing the beauty and diversity of life in Monterey Bay. They're also a keystone species, determining the kinds and health of species in near-shore environments. They eat sea urchins and other invertebrates that graze on giant kelp. Without Sea Otters, urchins prevent kelp forests from forming important habitats for many animals. Similarly, their consumption of crabs in estuaries reduces predation on snails. The snails graze algae that otherwise choke eel grasses.
Sea Otters are also good indicators of ocean health. Since they are a top predator of invertebrates along the California coast, changes in their health can make scientists aware of variations in the ocean environment itself.
By 1911, when Sea Otters gained protection under the North Pacific Fur Seal Treaty, a small group of perhaps 50 otters survived along the remote Big Sur coast. Since then, they've slowly expanded their range and grown in number to nearly 3,000. As of 2014, their range extends from south of Half Moon Bay in the north to south of Point Conception in the south—only a small part of their historic range.
(All information courtesy of Monterey Bay Aquarium)
Dale S. sent this in, and with a face like that, RIGHT UP IT GOES. “Zeus’s Rescue Place (New Orleans) posted this picture of Flip, who needs a home. As they pointed out (but how could you miss it) he looks exactly like a canine counterpart to Grumpy Cat. (P.S.—Zeus’s is awesome and deserves to be world famous for all the work they do finding homes for New Orleans dogs! I got my pup, who just turned 2, from them.)
..or he stole someone’s robe Christmas present. “Hi there, I’m sending you some of the newer photos of our cute labradoodle, Simba, and hopefully his pictures will get posted on your websites. Please follow Simba on Instagram too! Thanks! Jingga M.”
So why are we shutting down? Or giving up?! (kitten at left.) The landscape has changed for us over the last few years, personally and professionally. We’ve had two wonderful kids join Chief Puppy Officer in our home! At the same time, blogs like us that rely on advertising have struggled. You know we have downsized. We feel it’s time to say goodbye, and celebrate the tewtelly adorbs times we had, and not continue to cut back or change quality. We want to remember Cute Overload as the juggernaut that brought you joy. The brand, audience and content should be respected. Sure, there are a lot of ways to shut down or sell—whatever—we’ve considered it all, for a long time, and this is the way we’d like to go. We have a great copyrighted name, and may be back in some form at a later date, we’ll see.
“My wife made our Boston Terrier Frito a matching bed and shirt. Enjoy.” -Ryan S.
Maybe The Cutest Thing Under The Sea! (Examples here and here!) 
Dale S. sent this in, and with a face like that, RIGHT UP IT GOES. “Zeus’s Rescue Place (New Orleans) posted this picture of Flip, who needs a home. As they pointed out (but how could you miss it) he looks exactly like a canine counterpart to Grumpy Cat. (P.S.—Zeus’s is awesome and deserves to be world famous for all the work they do finding homes for New Orleans dogs! I got my pup, who just turned 2, from them.)
..or he stole someone’s robe Christmas present. “Hi there, I’m sending you some of the newer photos of our cute labradoodle, Simba, and hopefully his pictures will get posted on your websites. Please follow Simba on Instagram too! Thanks! Jingga M.”
