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Category: Animal News

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Researching Native Bluebird Populations

Since 2021, Nashville Zoo’s bird team has been monitoring bluebird populations right here in our backyard via nest boxes. In an effort to participate in a hands-on approach, bird keeper Rachael Payton received her federal and state bird banding permits in fall 2022 which allows her to band birds on Zoo property. Bird banding is a strategy where researchers attach identification bands on the leg of females or males incubating eggs or feeding chicks, and then the chicks once they a... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Animal News Blog Feature Conservation Zoo News

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Our 2022 Highlight Reel

As 2022 and our 25th year at Grassmere come to a close, we are so excited to look back at all that YOU made possible this year. Between breeding firsts, helping endangered animals around the globe, and being surprised by the cutest little nugget - this year has been full of success!   Celebrating 25 Years at Grassmere We’ve experienced tremendous growth since opening our doors in 1997. We are proud to now be one of the top attractions in the state, annually welcoming over... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Animal News Blog Feature Conservation Zoo News

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Loggerhead Shrike Working Group Meeting

Nashville Zoo continues their work in loggerhead shrike conservation by hosting the Loggerhead Shrike Working Group this November. Loggerhead Shrike The loggerhead shrike (Lanius Iudovicianus) is a carnivorous, grassland songbird and is often referred to as “butcher birds” because they capture prey with their sharply hooked beaks feeding on large insects, rodents and even smaller birds. There are two species of shrike found primarily in the Southeastern region of North Amer... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Animal News Conservation

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Two Clouded Leopards Born at Nashville Zoo

Nashville Zoo is thrilled to announce the birth of a male and female clouded leopard on June 30! The cubs weighed in at about half a pound and measured around 4 inches in length at birth which is much larger than the average cub. Nashville Zoo now has 16 clouded leopards in their care. In total, Nashville Zoo has celebrated the birth of 42 clouded leopards since 2009. These are the first cubs to be raised at the Zoo since 2019. This birth is significant because the parents (Jewels an... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Animal News Blog Feature Conservation

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Eastern Box Turtle Conservation Project

Nashville Zoo’s herpetology team is in the second year of a conservation project that monitors and tracks Eastern box turtles right here on Zoo grounds. Why are Eastern box turtle populations declining? Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina) are found in grasslands, marshes, woodlands and forest edges often near streams and ponds throughout North America. These turtles are typically common and widespread but have recently been experiencing population decline due to ... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Animal News Blog Feature Conservation

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Who's Who in the Aviary

Walking into the Aviary inside Unseen New World a few things are obvious: the constant 76 degree temperature, tall trees, rushing water, and noisy birds.  However, it is easy to walk in and out without getting the full experience.  Use this guide to make sure you don’t miss the diversity of animals in this exhibit! What to look for There are currently 12 species of birds from Central and South America and Africa along with two species of turtles and three species of li... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Thursday, March 31, 2022
Animal News Exhibit Highlight

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Keeping up with the Komodos

COMING SOON: Guests will be able to see Komodo dragons at Nashville Zoo! This brand new habitat will be located beside the pathway that leads to the Zoo’s HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center.  When completed, this exhibit will be one of the largest Komodo dragon habitats in the Americas. The habitat will feature an indoor and large outdoor viewing area so the dragons can be seen year-round despite chilly temperatures. The outdoor yard will be the largest nationwide and will al... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Animal News Blog Feature Exhibit Highlight Zoo News

Friday, December 31, 2021

Conservation Highlights in 2021

Nashville Zoo is celebrating the new year with incredible conservation achievements. From breeding successes to headstart programs –  we had a BIG year!  We actively participate in 50+ Species Survival Plan® Programs - for animals as small as Puerto Rican crested toads to as large as the Sumatran tiger! Here are a few highlights from 2021.  Species Survival Plan and Global Species Management Plans Giant Anteater We welcomed a male giant anteater pup, Esteban, on... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Friday, December 31, 2021
Animal News Blog Feature Conservation Zoo News

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Releasing Alligator Snapping Turtles

On August 26, 2021, a team from Nashville Zoo, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), and the Cumberland River Aquatic Center successfully released 30 alligator snapping turtles into the waters near Wolf River in West Tennessee.  The Release 16 of the 30 alligator snapping turtles released were from Nashville Zoo’s headstart program. These turtles weighed ranging from just under a kilogram to two and a half kilograms prior to release. Each turtle was given a unique individ... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Animal News Blog Feature Conservation Feature Zoo News

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Baby Babirusa Born at Nashville Zoo

It is another exciting day at Nashville Zoo because we have a baby babirusa! The babirusa piglet was born on July 21, 2021, and her name is Garland. She spent her first few weeks with Tinsel (mom) behind-the-scenes and made her exhibit debut this morning. The piglet had a successful neonatal exam and we have got a healthy little girl!  The day before the piglet was born, Tinsel wanted to be out on exhibit but did not want to be around Dobby (dad). Tinsel spent her entir... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Animal News Blog Feature Zoo News

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Udderly Amazing Heritage Breeds

Did you know that certain species of cattle are endangered? Many people don’t think of cattle as being endangered, but some even face critical endangerment just like the Sumatran tiger or Mexican spider monkey. Here at Nashville Zoo, the two devon steers at the Grassmere Historic Farm are considered critically endangered due to modern farming techniques and selective cattle breeding. This type of cattle is, therefore, categorized as a heritage breed. What are heritage breeds? Herita... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Animal News Blog Feature Conservation

Friday, July 16, 2021

Releasing Hellbenders

This June and July, Nashville Zoo team members waded into the waters of Middle Tennessee to successfully release a total of 29 eastern hellbenders back into the wild.  These hellbenders had been raised at the Zoo for the past six years as part of a headstart program, after being collected as eggs from streams in Middle Tennessee. The Need for the Headstart Program This hellbender headstart program was started because researchers had observed a decline in juvenile animals in the wild an... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Friday, July 16, 2021
Animal News Blog Feature Conservation

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Spider Monkey Troop Update

Update 1/6/20: Overnight on New Year's Eve, Molly went into labor and gave birth to a male. Unfortunately, the baby was stillborn. We are saddened by this loss but grateful for the knowledge we acquired during Molly's pregnancy. Molly is doing well, and our keeper staff is giving her an abundance of comfort and care. Back in July, the Zoo’s primate keepers discovered that one of our three female spider monkeys, Molly, was pregnant. While the news was exciting, the keepers had s... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Animal News

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Congo Receives Special Hoof Care

Giraffes spend the majority of their lives on their feet so their hooves must remain in great shape. Our male giraffe, Congo, was born with a poorly formed right front hoof which has caused him to abnormally shift his weight (all 2,300 pounds of it) to his other feet. For years, the Zoo’s veterinary and giraffe care teams have worked hard caring for Congo’s hooves while he was awake and willing. However, his ability to walk without discomfort continued to ... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Thursday, November 5, 2020
Animal News

Monday, June 29, 2020

Pouch Peeking Provides Pictures of Progress

Last year, keepers at the Nashville Zoo’s Kangaroo Kickabout learned that our mob of Red kangaroos would begin breeding. They developed an ambitious training plan to observe and record kangaroo babies (joeys) throughout the developmental process from birth to emergence from the pouch. Kangaroos are considered marsupials which means they give birth to a premature fetus that finishes developing while attached to a teat in the mother’s pouch. The pouch is a fold of skin that covers... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Monday, June 29, 2020
Animal News Blog Feature

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

First Cassowary Hatches Despite Hazards

On June 5, Nashville Zoo welcomed our first cassowary chick into the world. After 54 days of incubation and a few harrowing nights of severe weather, the female chick hatched and is currently being cared for in the Zoo’s HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center. “The males are the ones that sit on the eggs and protect them from harm,” said Shelley Norris, Nashville Zoo’s Avian Area Supervisor. “He sat through several bad storms in April and May including the big stor... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Animal News

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Two Caracal Kittens Born

A Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gift While we celebrated Mother’s Day, a caracal was preparing to give birth and be a mother to two healthy kittens. Very close to midnight on May 10, 2020, she delivered inside her nest box. They are the first caracals ever to be born at Nashville Zoo, and the animal care team has been keeping a close eye on them and wishing her a very special Mother’s Day. Like human mothers, caracals need time to bond with their new offspring. No need for a &l... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Animal News

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Binturong Born at the Zoo

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce that Lucy, one of our Palawan binturongs, gave birth to a male kit (common name for a baby binturong) on March 13, 2020. At birth, the kit weighted 279 grams (about 10 ounces) and is currently being raised by the Zoo's veterinarian team. “Lucy has had kits before and has a history of not producing milk for her young,” said Dr. Margarita Woc Colburn, Nashville Zoo Associate Veterinarian. “Because of this, we are hand-raising the... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Animal News

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Two Cape Porcupines Born at Nashville Zoo

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of two Cape Porcupines. The porcupettes (the common name for baby porcupines) were born on February 24 each weighing approximately 450 grams (about a pound). Sex has yet to be determined. Both mother and porcupettes are doing fine. "Mkali (the mother) has been well trained which is very beneficial for her keepers," said Nate Morris, one of the porcupine keepers at Nashville Zoo. "She's learned how to voluntarily let our veter... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Thursday, March 19, 2020
Animal News

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Giant Anteater Pup Born at Nashville Zoo

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of a healthy, giant anteater. The mom, a 17-year old named Praim, delivered the male on February 28 at a normal weight of 2.69 pounds. Both she and the newborn are doing fine.  “This is Praim’s 7th pup so she is an experienced mom, and everything went smoothly,” said Danielle Berthold, a carnivore keeper. “The pup will now stay with mom until he is a year to a year-and-a-half old. After that he’ll either stay... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Thursday, March 12, 2020
Animal News

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Working To Stop Illegal Wildlife Trade Of Cheetahs In Somaliland

  Illegal wildlife trafficking is an ever-increasing problem for the conservation of species in the wild, and the trafficking of cheetahs is no exception. It is estimated that every year more than 300 young cheetahs are illegally snatched from Ethiopia, northern Kenya, Somalia and Somaliland, then smuggled out of Somaliland to be sent across the Gulf of Aden to the Arabian Peninsula where they are bought and sold in illegal online sales to the wealthy. Most of these cubs are pulled fro... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Thursday, February 20, 2020
Animal News Zoo News

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Nashville Zoo To Provide Support To Australian Wildfire Relief Efforts

Nashville Zoo is sending $30,000 to support Australia's efforts to rescue and protect wildlife affected by devastating wildfires. Additionally, the Zoo is committing all funds from a guest donation program called "Round Up for Conservation." “We’re deeply saddened by what’s happening to the wildlife and habitats in Australia,” said Rick Schwartz, Nashville Zoo President and CEO. “We feel a moral obligation to help the ongoing efforts and ... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Animal News Zoo News

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Nashville Zoo Awarded Best Restrooms in Country by Cintas

    Nashville Zoo’s Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear women’s restroom and Entry Village's men's restroom have been named America’s Best Restrooms by Cintas. Expedition Peru's restroom is the home to the Zoo’s family of six cotton-top tamarins, a critically endangered primate species from South America and Entry Village's restroom is home to a Boelen's python. "We’re honored Cintas and the public have recogniz... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Animal News Zoo News

Monday, September 30, 2019

Nashville Zoo Welcomes New Female Cape Porcupine

  Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce the arrival of our new female Cape porcupine. Mkali, meaning “fierce and bright” in Swahili, was born on Feb. 24, 2019 at the San Diego Zoo. Mkali joins the Zoo’s current 6-year-old male Cape porcupine, Jake Quyllenhaal.  Other than her smaller stature, keepers identify Mkali by looking for a thick, white stripe under her chin. Mkali's stripe is much larger and more defined than Jake's.   “Mkali and Jak... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Monday, September 30, 2019
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Nashville Zoo Paving the Way for Komodo Dragon Reproduction Research

Just like people that need to understand and take care of their reproductive health, we carefully monitor and care for the reproductive health of the animals at Nashville Zoo. One issue our keeper and veterinary staff monitor is egg dystocia (egg binding), which is the number one problem facing female Komodo dragons in human care. Egg binding occurs when follicles are not re-absorbed due to lack of breeding or eggs are not laid. Both of these issues can cause numerous internal problems, ... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Male Rhino Now On Exhibit

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce the male Southern white rhinoceros is now on exhibit.  “We’re excited to have a male here and hope to have baby rhinos on the ground within a couple years,” said Nashville Zoo Hoofstock Keeper, Jason Faessler. Named The Cheetah by generous donors, the male rhino is 5 years old and weighs approximately 4,000 pounds. He has joined the current crash of four female Southern white rhinos - Nandi, Kacie, Norma and Mod... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Nashville Zoo Successfully Hatches Its First Chilean Flamingo

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce the successful hatching of a Chilean flamingo. This flamingo was brought to the Zoo as an egg by a Memphis Zoo keeper on July 16 and had been kept in an incubator to develop until it hatched in the early morning hours of Monday, July 29.  The chick will be held in the Veterinary Center Avian Incubation room, which is viewable by the public. Flamingo chicks grow fast, so guests are encouraged to visit sooner rather than later to see the chick ... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Thursday, August 1, 2019
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

The Caribbean Isn't the Only Place Where Flamingos Live

Many think flamingos only appear in bright pink hues and originate in the Caribbean, like the ones living at Nashville Zoo, but there are actually a variety of flamingo species that live around the world. In South America, three flamingo species — the Andean flamingo, St. James flamingo and Chilean flamingo — are all facing extinction due to habitat loss, climate change and human intrusion. During a recent trip to Laguna Colorada National Wildlife Sanctuary, Lead Avian Ke... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Zoo Staff Sends Thousands of Puerto Rican Crested Toad Tadpoles for Release

On June 18, Nashville Zoo herpetology team successfully produced thousands of Puerto Rican crested toad tadpoles that were then shipped to Puerto Rico for release. This was the sixth shipment of tadpoles to Puerto Rico. During this time, Zoo staff were able to capture the early stages of development in the eggs for these toads. Herpetology and veterinary staff started the breeding process by injecting the breeding pair with Amphiplex, an amphibian hormone that stimulates reproduction. Thes... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Thursday, June 27, 2019
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Monday, June 3, 2019

Keeper Travels to Africa to Save Sea Turtles

On a tiny beach on the west coast of Bioko, a small island part of Equatorial Guinea, is one of the only places leatherback sea turtles nest and lay their eggs. Poachers scour this beach to capture and kill the 800-900 pound leatherback turtles to sell their meat back in villages across the island and on the mainland. Because of the high level of poaching in this area, a team of five including one Nashville Zoo primate keeper, Rachel Schleicher, spent four and a half months from October 201... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Monday, June 3, 2019
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Nashville Zoo Welcomes Two Binturong Kits

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce Lucy, one of our behind-the-scenes Palawan binturongs, gave birth to two kits, one male and one female, late on Monday, May 13. “The kits are doing fantastic,” said Dr. Heather Robertson, Nashville Zoo Director of Veterinary Services. “However, Lucy was not able to produce milk for her babies, so we will be hand-raising the kits in one of our Veterinary Center Neonatal Care rooms, which includes a public viewing window." ... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Recent Clouded Leopard Birth Includes Two Important Males

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce that River, Nashville Zoo's on-exhibit clouded leopard, gave birth to three cubs, two males and one female, on Monday, April 29 around 10:30 p.m.  “These three cubs are important because they will go on to pair with other clouded leopards and increase this species' captive population," said Dr. Heather Robertson, Nashville Zoo Director of Veterinary Services. “The two males are particularly ... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Monday, April 29, 2019

Second Pair Of Cotton-Top Tamarin Twins Born at Nashville Zoo

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of two cotton-top tamarins on Saturday, April 20. This is the second birth of cotton-top tamarins twins since the opening of Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear in March 2018. Since cotton-top tamarins are critically endangered in the wild, every birth of captive cotton-tops helps secure the future of this decreasing population. “Keepers have been monitoring Caqueta for pregnancy over the last several months,” said Sabrina Barne... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Monday, April 29, 2019
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Friday, April 12, 2019

Tiger Crossroads Exhibit Now Open!

Nashville Zoo opened its new Tiger Crossroads exhibit featuring four-year-old female Sumatran tigers to the public on Friday, April 12 at 9:30 a.m. Originally built in 1989 as a black bear exhibit and then home to Bengal tigers until 2015, the Zoo’s tiger exhibit was in great need of renovation. Improvements to the exhibit enlarged the tigers’ habitat and night quarters, as well as added a new indoor viewing area for guests. The viewing building features reinforced glass panels f... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Friday, April 12, 2019
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Nashville Zoo's AI Clouded Leopard Gives Birth To Two Cubs

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce Niran has given birth to two cubs between 1-2 p.m. on Sunday, March 24. In 2017, Niran was the first clouded leopard ever to be born from artificial insemination (AI) through cryopreservation.   The newest cubs weigh about 187 and 192 grams each. With the addition of these cubs, the Zoo is now home to eight clouded leopards. Nashville Zoo has been working with these cats since 1987 and has welcomed 34 cubs since 2009. There are currently 69 clou... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Thursday, March 28, 2019
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Tiger Crossroads Exhibit To Open April 12

Nashville Zoo will open its new Tiger Crossroads exhibit featuring four-year-old female Sumatran tigers to the public on Friday, April 12 at 9:30 a.m. Originally built in 1989 as a black bear exhibit and then home to Bengal tigers until 2015, the Zoo’s tiger exhibit was in great need of renovation. Improvements to the exhibit enlarged the tigers’ habitat and night quarters, as well as added a new indoor viewing area for guests. The viewing building features reinforced glass panel... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Friday, March 22, 2019

Nashville Zoo Welcomes First Ever Aardvark

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce the arrival of Winsol, its very first aardvark. One-year-old Winsol arrived from Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden this past weekend and has been adjusting to Nashville life in the HCA Healthcare Veterinary Center Neonatal Animal Care Room. Guests are able to say hello through a outdoor viewing window.  Winsol will be a part of Nashville Zoo's Ambassador Animal program, participating in daily animal shows and walking around the Zoo for ... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Friday, March 22, 2019
Animal News Zoo News

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Significant Success in Clouded Leopard Breeding

In 2017, Niran was the first clouded leopard ever to be born from artificial insemination (AI) from frozen/thawed semen. Now, Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce she is pregnant through natural reproduction with her first cub(s). “We’ve made history with Niran and we’re making history again,” said Dr. Heather Robertson, Nashville Zoo Director of Veterinary Services. “Knowing that a clouded leopard born from artificial insemination ... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Thursday, March 21, 2019
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Friday, March 1, 2019

Major Breakthrough for Eastern Hellbenders

Nashville Zoo’s ectotherm team took a monumental step toward continuing the growth of the local wild population of Eastern hellbenders. The team produced the largest amount of healthy Eastern hellbender eggs in human care through hormonal induction and artificial fertilization. These 24 healthy Eastern hellbenders are the largest success in seven years. The team has successfully been using a hormonal induction and artificial fertilization technique since 2012.  The zoo also made ... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Friday, March 1, 2019
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Nashville Zoo Welcomes Four Juliana Pigs

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce the arrival of four Juliana pigs (Sus domesticus) to Critter Encounters. The Zoo is welcoming three females, who were born in the same litter and a male, born with the same father as the females. These pigs will stay in Critter Encounters, so the guests can interact with them, and will also be trained to take leashed-walks throughout the Zoo. Other than during colder months where they will have access to a heated indoor area, they will be able to cho... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Animal News Zoo News

Friday, August 3, 2018

Three More Meerkat Pups Born at Nashville Zoo

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of three meerkats on July 11, 2018. This is the second litter for parents Calvin (age 12) and Victoria (age 10). The pair has been together for 3.5 years, but only just recently produced pups last August. This will bring Nashville Zoo’s total to 8 meerkats. With the newest trio, Nashville Zoo primate area supervisor, Sabrina Barnes said this is a great opportunity for the three other siblings to learn how to take care of the young, so they... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Friday, August 3, 2018
Animal News Zoo News

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Tools to Keep Animals Cool at Nashville Zoo

In Tennessee, July means scorching sun and record-breaking temperatures. At Nashville Zoo, keepers find creative ways to keep the animals cool. The Behavioral Husbandry department at the Zoo is home to ambassador animals that are native to locations all over the world, from tropics, to mountains, to deserts. Because of the diverse climates these animals come from, ensuring the comfort of each animal during the summer is an extremely thought-through process. One way to combat the heat, is to... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Animal News Zoo News

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Nashville Zoo Keepers Use Disguising Techniques to Feed Snowy Owl Chicks

Nashville Zoo welcomed two snowy owls on July 13 and July 15. These owls are the first raptors to be hatched at Nashville Zoo since the Zoo was located in Joelton, TN back in the 1990s. Unlike other animals, such as our clouded leopards, where working with their keepers from an early age helps them become more comfortable with humans later in life, some species of birds, including snowy owls, have the reverse reaction to working closely with humans as chicks. “Baby birds can become &#... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Two Iconic Tennessee Entities Partner to Save a Species

What pairs well with Jack Daniel’s? Here at Nashville Zoo, our rhinoceros hornbills do! Nashville Zoo and Jack Daniel’s have partnered to give our nesting rhinoceros hornbills a temporary home by donating unused whiskey barrels. The partnership started back in 2008. Rhinoceros hornbills are fairly large birds that need large hollow spaces to lay their eggs and care for their young. “Rhino Hornbills are cavity nesters,” said Joe deGraauw, Nashville Zoo Avian Curator.... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Animal News Zoo News

Monday, May 28, 2018

Cotton-Top Tamarin Twins Born at Nashville Zoo

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of two cotton-top tamarins on Wednesday, May 23. This is the first birth of cotton-top tamarins since the opening of Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear in March 2018. Since cotton-top tamarins are critically endangered in the wild, every birth of captive cotton-tops help secure the future of this decreasing population. “Caqueta, the mother, gave birth to these babies at 4 p.m.,” said Sabrina Barnes, Nashville Zoo Primate Area S... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Monday, May 28, 2018
Animal News Zoo News

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Fifteenth Great Blue Turaco Chick Born

Nashville Zoo avian department welcomed their 15th great blue turaco chick on April 9. Over the last eight years the Nashville Zoo avian department and veterinary staff have worked tirelessly to try and develop a successful hand-rearing and medical care plan for this species.  Due to the low survivability rate of chicks, few zoos have been able to breed and raise these beautiful birds. Over the past five years, the Zoo has been able to increase its breeding success rate dramatically, f... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Saturday, May 26, 2018
Animal News Zoo News

Nashville Zoo Welcome First Blue-Billed Curassow Chick

The survivability of blue-billed curassows just increased. Nashville Zoo avian staff welcomed its first curassow chick on May 5. After incubating the egg for 30 days, the chick was assisted in hatching by Nashville Zoo keepers and veterinary staff.  Nashville Zoo keepers had to assist the hatching of this chick because the chick was slightly inactive during the second day after its initial pip in the shell membrane. After keepers noticed the shell membrane was dry instead of wet, they ... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo
Animal News Zoo News

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Female Clouded Leopard Cub Born at Nashville Zoo

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of a female clouded leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, on Monday, February 19. This is the sixth litter for eight-year-old parents Lom Choy, mother, and Luk, father. The couple have been paired for mating since they were one year old and have been having litters since 2011. Their newest cub weighed about 188 grams at birth. With the addition of this cub, the Zoo is now home to nine clouded leopards. Nashville Zoo has had 32 clouded leopards born s... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

Friday, March 9, 2018

Baird's Tapir Calf Born at Nashville Zoo on March 7

Nashville Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of a male Baird’s tapir calf on Wednesday, March 7. Juju, the mother, gave birth at 12:53 a.m.  This is the second calf for four-year-old Juju and weighs about 22.8 lbs. The father Romeo passed away last year. Romeo was also the father of Tybalt, our male tapir, who was born in August 2016. With the addition of this calf, the Zoo is now home to three Baird’s tapirs. Four Baird’s tapirs have been born at Nashville Zoo since... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Friday, March 9, 2018
Animal News Zoo News

Monday, January 22, 2018

UPDATED: Saddle-billed stork eggs not viable, the saga continues

The typical incubation for saddle-billed stork eggs averages about 31 days. We gave our saddle-billed storks an extra week of incubating beyond their due date before deciding to remove the eggs from the nest. This was done to ensure that they were not delayed in their development causing them to hatch later than expected. Earlier this week keeper staff finally removed the overdue eggs from the nest. The parents were not pleased at first, but quickly adjusted to the freedom of no longer needin... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Monday, January 22, 2018
Animal News Conservation Zoo News

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