Our Blog - Conservation

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Category: Conservation

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Releasing Hellbender Salamanders Back into the Wild

Last week, Nashville Zoo’s ectotherm team in partnership with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Tennessee State University, waded into the waters of Middle Tennessee to successfully release a total of 24 eastern hellbender salamanders back into the wild. These hellbenders had been raised since 2018 at the Zoo as part of a headstart program, after being collected as eggs from streams in Middle Tennessee. Hellbender conservation team in waterway preparing to release ... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Blog Feature Conservation Zoo News

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

What is a Motus Tower?

Check out the bird's flight paths that got picked up by our Motus tower! Next time you are at the Zoo’s Veterinary Center, look up and spot the Motus tower. This tower is a part of the world’s largest collaborative automated radio telemetry project. Motus helps track the migration of smaller birds, bats and insects that are too small for satellites. Motus Wildlife Tracking System was created to help with research and education on the ecology and conservation of... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Blog Feature Conservation

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

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Working with Cheetahs in Somaliland

Nashville Zoo's international conservation efforts were highlighted this summer as carnivore keeper Megan Woodall spent a month at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in Somaliland. Megan’s Trip  Megan arrived in Somaliland in mid-July and spent the majority of her time working in one of the three safe houses at the Cheetah Conservation Fund facility. The safe houses oversee the care and rehabilitation of cheetah cubs that are taken from the illegal pet trade. Megan helpe... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Blog Feature Conservation Keeper Spotlight

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Your Choices Matter: Palm Oil

Palm oil is the most widely produced edible vegetable oil in the world and is an ingredient in nearly half of all consumer products. With so much demand, many companies are using unsustainable practices to produce the oil, which in turn is wiping out thousands of animal species. The Palm Oil Problem Palm oil is obtained from the fruit of the African oil palm tree, which originated in West Africa, but can flourish wherever heat and rainfall are abundant. Ninety percent of palm oil is now p... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Blog Feature 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

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, 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, June 1, 2021

Coral Conservation at the Zoo

Help celebrate World Ocean Day by visiting Nashville Zoo’s Florida Reef Tract Coral Conservation Lab to learn more about how you can save coral!  World Ocean Day began as a way to highlight the impact of human activities on the ocean, such as pollution, habitat loss, and overfishing. The ocean covers over 70% of the planet and produces at least 50% of Earth’s oxygen. Although the ocean is one of our most crucial resources, human actions have resulted in the depletion of... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Blog Feature Conservation

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Endangered Species Day

In honor of Endangered Species Day, we're taking a look at some of the most endangered species that call Nashville Zoo home. It may surprise you that all six of our primate species are considered endangered or critically endangered. Cotton-Top Tamarin Critically Endangered Mexican Spider Monkey Critically Endangered White-Cheecked Gibbons Critically Endangered Siamang Endangered Ring-Tailed Lemur Endangered Red Ruffed Lemur Critically Endangered These prim... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Thursday, May 20, 2021
Blog Feature Conservation

Monday, December 7, 2020

How You Can Stop the Next Pandemic (And Save Endangered Animals Too)

Like most emerging diseases these days, COVID-19 originated from a wild animal and was passed on to a human. This transfer took place at a wet market, a commercial area that includes the sale of wild animals for human consumption. Wet markets are largely unregulated and at high risk for spreading zoonotic disease. Many of these markets are also linked to the illegal wildlife trade. In May, U.S. Sen. Coons introduce the Global Wildlife Health and Pandemic Prevention Act designed to halt the... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Monday, December 7, 2020
Conservation

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

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Your Choices Matter: Single-Use Plastic

Plastic is nearly always present in our lives. From candy wrappers to water bottles, there are plastics we use every single day. Unfortunately, many of these products are immediately thrown away, and the waste produced ends up threatening many habitats and the animal and plant species that live in them.   The Plastic Problem You may not realize this, but every single piece of plastic that has ever been created is still here. Plastic is not biodegradable, so even items we only use for a... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Conservation

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

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

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Nashville Predators Foundation Donates Proceeds of Calendars to Zoo

The Nashville Predators Foundation donated funds raised from the sale of the 2019 Nashville Predators team calendars to support Nashville Zoo's animal conservation efforts around the globe. The check for $44,063.05 was presented to Rick Schwartz, Nashville Zoo President and CEO and Julie W. Walker, Nashville Zoo Board Chair, at the Tuesday, March 19 hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. “The Nashville Predators Foundation has been a tremendous community partner and supports ... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, March 20, 2019
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

Friday, February 1, 2019

The Rainforest Only Has One Chance

Deep in the Amazon, located outside the small town of Iquitos, Peru, far from electricity, wifi, air conditioning and even warm showers, stands the Rainforest Awareness Rescue and Education Center (RAREC). Its mission, as its founder and president John Garnica puts it, is simple. “Education is the key to lasting change,” Garnica said. “We want to work with the locals, and provide them with the tools they need to support themselves in an ecologically responsible manner, to p... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Friday, February 1, 2019
Conservation Zoo News

Monday, September 10, 2018

Zoo partners with Harpeth Conservancy to showcase importance of local river

Nashville Zoo and the Harpeth Conservancy partnered through Lessons on the Harpeth to bring awareness to the importance of waterways to the Nashville community. “As a science-based organization, sometimes the science can get in a whirlpool behind the scenes, and it can be hard to communicate everything that we’re doing,” said Molly Warner with the Harpeth Conservancy. “This is a good chance to be able to connect with the public and show them a little bit of what we&rs... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Monday, September 10, 2018
Conservation Zoo News

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Nashville Zoo Successfully Breeds Rare Species

UPDATE: Nashville Zoo welcomed one more Central American giant galliwasp (Diploglossus monotropis) born in August 2018. This is the second successful birth of this species at Nashville Zoo. This species is infamously difficult to breed. Once the females lay the eggs, they go into hiding for about four months until the babies are hatched. In that time, keepers refrain from checking on them, in case the mother becomes startled and defensively eats the eggs, so predators do not eat the eg... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Conservation Feature 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 4, 2018

Herpetology Team Sends Puerto Rican Crested Toad Tadpoles to Bolster Wild Population

Nashville Zoo recently sent its fifth group of Puerto Rican crested toad tadpoles to Puerto Rico for reintroduction at different parts of the island, as part of the Puerto Rican Crested Toad Species Survival Plan (SSP).  These tadpoles are helping to bolster the population size of the federally endangered Puerto Rican crested toad in its native habitat. The 958 tadpoles produced at Nashville Zoo will be released in Puerto Rico at the same time as tadpoles produced at other zoos and aqua... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Conservation

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Nashville Zoo Keeper First International Volunteer at Bongo Surveillance Project

After working with bongo for most of her keeper career, Nikole Edmunds, Nashville Zoo Hoofstock Keeper, traveled to Africa to work with them in the wild. Edmunds is the first international volunteer to ever work with the Bongo Surveillance Project, BSP, the only organization in Kenya specifically monitoring the critically endangered Mountain or “Eastern” Bongo in the wild. The BSP’s mission is to educate the public, specifically local Kenyans, about how to protect bongos, a... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Conservation

Friday, March 30, 2018

Nashville Zoo Veterinarian Travels to Africa to help protect highly-poached animals

Dr. Heather Robertson, DVM ventured across continents to South Africa in November 2017 to the Thanda Safari Reserve where she was able to assist in the process of protecting highly-poached animals, such as the South African elephant and South African white rhinoceros. While the Southern white rhino is the least endangered of the living rhino species with 21,077 remaining in the wild, they are listed as near threatened due to habitat loss and illegal poaching. In South Africa alone, poachers ... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Friday, March 30, 2018
Conservation 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

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

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Nashville Zoo Keeper Travels to South Africa to Help Endangered Penguins

In late November, Alison Day, Ambassador Animal Keeper, traveled 8,300 miles to Cape Town, South Africa, to volunteer at the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB). As part of SANCCOB’s keeper exchange program, Day was able to care for the close to 200 birds at the facility and rehabilitate them, so they were prepared to return to their colonies. SANCCOB is a registered non-profit organization whose primary objective is to reverse the decline of seabir... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Conservation Zoo News

Friday, December 1, 2017

Get Involved with the Great Backyard Bird Count

Are you interested in helping birds? Get involved in the 20th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count. The Great Backyard Bird Count is citizen science project where people from around the world count birds for at least 15 minutes a day from Feb. 16-19. You can count birds from anywhere; the warmth of your home, walking, or your nearest park. This data is submitted online to researchers who use it to assist in tracking bird migrations and getting population counts of different species. Scient... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Friday, December 1, 2017
Conservation

Friday, October 20, 2017

Be Sweet to Orangutans This Halloween!

We are setting the scene for this year’s popular Boo at the Zoo celebration which includes more than three tons of sweet treats for kids. From to M&M’s to Tootsie Roll Pops, this year’s candy offerings have more in common than high sugar levels - they are all made using sustainable palm oil. The Zoo is proud to continue our commitment to saving wildlife by only offering candy made with sustainable palm oil. Why is this important? Read below. What is Palm Oil? Palm oi... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Friday, October 20, 2017
Conservation

Monday, July 24, 2017

Red Ruffed Lemur Family Now on Exhibit at Nashville Zoo

(Blog update on July 25, 2017) Guests visiting Nashville Zoo can now see the four red ruffed lemur babies born on May 30, 2017. The two month old lemurs have joined their parents Lyra and Dino and three older siblings on exhibit along Bamboo Trail. “The four babies are hopping around and playing with each other a lot as they explore and climb in their exhibit, said Sabrina Barnes, Primate Area Supervisor. “Thalia and Calliope, the one-year-old sisters, have really started intera... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Monday, July 24, 2017
Animal News Conservation Exhibit Highlight Zoo News

Friday, June 30, 2017

Behind-the-scenes: Rhinoceros Hornbill Breeding

The Rhinoceros Hornbill is one of 54 species of hornbills that exist. It can be distinguished by its banana-shaped casque on the top of its beak. The casque is made out of keratin, like our fingernails, and is very strong and lightweight. The Rhinoceros Hornbill faces many challenges which pose serious threats on the species. Along with the global issue of deforestation resulting in a loss of habitat, these birds are hunted as food, and ornaments are made out of their casques and feathers.... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Friday, June 30, 2017
Animal News Conservation

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Conservation Lounge Helps Save 5,000 acres for Rainforest Trust

Brew at the Zoo presented by M.L. Rose, Nashville Zoo’s annual beer festival event, took place on a beautiful evening in June. Guests enjoyed some of Nashville's best breweries, animal encounters, live music, food and festivities! Brew attendees also got to meet the historic clouded leopard cub, Niran, learn about protecting the last great forests of Northern Borneo at the Conservation Lounge, and drank among the flamingos around Jungle Loop. This year's Conservation Lounge pro... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Conservation Event Recap

Monday, June 19, 2017

Nashville Zoo Participates in Giraffe Conservation in Uganda

In March, Nashville Zoo hoofstock keeper, Stephanie Edling, journeyed alongside Julian Fennessy, the cofounder and co-director of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, to conduct field work and gather information on inbreeding, collect DNA samples and test new GPS collars on Rothschild’s giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) in the Kidepo Valley National Park in Uganda.   The week consisted of exploring three different routes to locate giraffes. Stephanie’s team was responsible f... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Monday, June 19, 2017
Conservation Zoo News

Friday, June 2, 2017

It's Spawning Season for Zoo's Koi Fish

One of the Zoo’s most beautiful exhibits is one that most guests don’t notice on initial glance. The Zoo is home to a group of stunning koi fish that swim among the ponds that weave throughout Bamboo Trail. Known for their beautiful markings and calm demeanor, koi fish typically get along very well with little to no competitiveness or aggression toward each other. However, over the last few weeks, our group of koi were making it a little bit harder to go unnoticed with swift ... Read More
Posted by Nashville Zoo at Friday, June 2, 2017
Animal News Conservation Exhibit Highlight

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