At AZA accredited zoos and aquariums, every birth is cause for celebration. AZA’s Species Survival Plan (SSP)® Programs oversee population management, including breeding recommendations, to ensure the sustainability of healthy, genetically diverse animal populations within AZA facilities. These baby animals are not only exciting – and adorable – new additions, many also represent hope for the future of their species. Let’s take a look back at some of the most memorable births of 2019, compiled by the AZA community and communications team.
- The Wilds welcomed a litter of six cheetah cubs to first time mom Pumzika. These cubs represent a significant contribution to the future sustainability and conservation of cheetahs. The birth was captured on video, and you can see the footage here.
Photo Courtesy of The Wilds
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo revealed its newest baby giraffe’s name on the longest day of the year, using the opportunity to highlight the Zoo’s support for global preservation efforts. Learn how the Zoo is working with partners to research and provide resources for giraffe in Africa.
- A 27-year old king penguin, one of the “founders” of the population, laid her first egg at Calgary Zoo this summer. The egg was placed under care of an experienced mother penguin in order to give it the best chances to hatch. When the shell was broken before being hatched, Zoo staff worked quickly to patch the shell and place it in an electronic egg incubator. The little chick, named Napoleon, successfully hatched in August and garnered a large social media following as the #littlestkingpenguin.
Photo Courtesy of Calgary Zoo
- Como Park Zoo celebrated its first snow leopard cub birth in twelve years: baby Asha. Asha’s parents, both from Europe, were recommended to breed as part of AZA’s SSP.
Photo Courtesy of Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
- Phoenix Zoo made front page headlines when six Mexican wolf pups were born this June. Mexican wolves are nearly extinct, with less than 150 individuals in the wild. This birth is part of a cooperative breeding program between the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Mexican Gray Wolf SSP and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Wolf Recovery Plan, which aims to restore Mexican gray wolves to their native southwest territory, including Arizona.
- Jacksonville Zoo welcomed four endangered giant river otter pups, the first of their species to be born at the Zoo, this June. The pups were born to 7-year-old mother Sarave and 11-year-old father Buddy. Sarave came to the Jacksonville Zoo in 2018 from Zoo Miami and Buddy arrived in 2011 from Guyana. Buddy is blind and the most genetically-valuable giant river otter in the SSP, which makes his first offspring such a huge success for the captive population.
Photo Courtesy of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
- Racine Zoo celebrated a bittersweet birth this winter, as emperor tamarin Isabella sadly passed away after giving birth to an infant daughter. Racine Zoo staff worked round-the-clock to give the infant, affectionately named Bella in honor of her mother, the best possible care in her critical condition. Happily, Bella survived thanks to the dedication of her keepers and was reintroduced to her family.
Photo Courtesy of Racine Zoo
- The International Crane Foundation partnered with the Milwaukee County Zoo aviary staff to incubate and hatch an endangered whooping crane egg. The Zoo’s whooping cranes, Tiki and Torch, who have never had chicks of their own, served as foster parents for the young bird.
Stay tuned for more memories from 2019!