Montgomery Zoo introduces new Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth exhibit, featuring Odysseus

MONTGOMERY ZOO (Montgomery, AL): The Montgomery Zoo is excited to announce the public debut of a Hoffman’s Two-toed Sloth on August 11! Odysseus, 4-years-old, came to the Montgomery Zoo from Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky.

Hoffman’s Two-toed Sloths are named after German naturalist Karl Hoffman (1823-1859). Their native habitats are in Central and South American countries Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.

This species has two toes on their forefeet that end with claws. Their back feet have three clawed toes. The sloths usually have tan to light brown shaggy fur. These sloths can sometimes appear green from algae collecting in their fur.

Hoffman’s Two-toed Sloths move at about half a foot-per-second but can move 50% faster when excited. While sloths might appear slow due to laziness, their lack of speed is due to surviving on a low energy diet of leaves. Hoffman’s Two-toed Sloths eat leaves, buds, tender twigs, young plant shoots, fruits, and flowers.

The Montgomery Zoo Animal Care Team decided to bring in a sloth because this species has important educational value due to its unique role and natural history in its native ecosystem. In addition, this species has important captive conservation value because husbandry and breeding is still difficult in zoos. This animal is captive born, thus reducing collection pressure on native populations and offering the Montgomery Zoo staff and visitors a unique learning experience from this species.

“Sloth are a species that both keepers and the public loves – so when there were some looking for new homes from other zoos, we thought them to be the perfect choice,” Animal Care Manager Andi Clason said.

For now Odysseus’ temporary home is the exhibit by the Jaguars. Odysseus will eventually move to the Ring-tailed Lemurs current exhibit. The Lemurs themselves are moving to Monkey Island and their current habitat next to the Marmosets will be open for the sloth.

Odysseus is described as not a morning sloth, but is curious when he wakes up.

Hoffman’s Two-toed Sloths are classified as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). There are no major threats to the species, but habitat degradation and fragmentation are affecting some populations in Central America and Colombia.

“Sloth are a species that the majority of people love, but may not be aware that their   native habitat it quickly disappearing due to deforestation,” Animal Care Manager Andi Clason said. “By bringing this new species into the Montgomery Zoo family, we look forward to continuing the conversation about habitat conservation for species all over the globe.”

Posted August 11, 2022.    

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Montgomery Zoo adds male Giant Anteater to exhibit as part of Species Survival Plan

MONTGOMERY ZOO (Montgomery, AL): The Montgomery Zoo is proud to announce the addition of a second Giant Anteater to its Maned Wolf and Giant Anteater exhibit on August 1, 2022. Barques, a 14-year-old male, joins female Giant Anteater Zoe, 14, and Maned Wolves, Paulo and Adrianna, at the exhibit on the recommendation of the Species Survival Plan (SSP).

The SSP is an animal conservation program created exclusively by the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to better manage animals in captivity, from recommending breeding to companionship, for zoos. Some of the Montgomery Zoo’s SSP animals include Anteaters, Maned Wolves, Pygmy Hippos, and Andean Condor, to name a few.

The Giant Anteater SSP recommended specifically pairing Barques with Zoe for companionship. Barques transferred from Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, New Jersey, but was born in Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Giant Anteaters are solitary animals. However it is natural for Giant Anteaters to cross paths with others of their species occasionally in the wild.  So to create a naturalistic social environment, the zoo will allow Zoe and Barques to choose whether or not they would like to interact with each other on display.

Giant Anteaters are native to Central and South America, except for Guatemala, Uruguay and El Salvador. They live in grasslands, wetlands, and tropical forests where they almost exclusively eat termites and ants. Giant anteaters may eat an average of 35,000 ants and termites a day.

Giant Anteaters are listed as a Vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). About 5,000 live in their native Central and South American homes.

Barques is described as relaxed and unbothered.

“The Animal Care team is excited to welcome Barques to the zoo on an SSP recommendation,” Animal Care Manager Andi Clason said. “By adding another anteater this allows a more naturalistic social setting for our Maned Wolves as well as our female anteater – who will have choice on how much time she would like to spend with her new companion.”

Posted August 1, 2022.    

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Montgomery Zoo adds three Greater Kudu to African Savanna exhibit, creates new herd

MONTGOMERY ZOO (Montgomery, AL): The Montgomery Zoo is proud to announce the arrival of three new Greater Kudu to its African Savanna exhibit on July 28. Greater Kudu Ernie, Angie, and Rogue, join Jolene, of the same species at the display, forming a natural herd.

Greater Kudu are large woodland antelopes that have reddish-brown or bluish-gray fur with four to 12 white stripes that run along their torso. Males of the species have beards along their throats, and large horns with two and a half twists. Greater Kudu are native to eastern and southern Africa and live in savanna, grasslands, and forests. They are listed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Being a herd species, Jolene is happier with companions and the new kudu gives the African Savanna exhibit a more naturalistic environment. Breeding is expected when Ernie reaches maturity and the zoo hopes to enter the Greater Kudu into population management in the future.

The Kudu transferred from Metro Richmond Zoo in Moseley, Virginia. The Kudu are young and wary, but adjusting to their environment quickly.

“As one of the few zoos exhibiting Greater Kudu, we are thrilled to welcome Rouge, Ernie, and Angie to the Montgomery Zoo,” Animal Care Manager Andi Clason said. “Our Zoo has a storied history with this species and we look forward to observing and enjoying these youngsters establish themselves into a herd.”

Posted July 28, 2022.    

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Two female Bison welcomed at the Montgomery Zoo, recreating species natural environment

MONTGOMERY ZOO (Montgomery, AL):  The Montgomery Zoo is proud to welcome two female Bison to join our North America display on July 26. Catori and Sicari, join Tank, the male of their species, recreating a natural environment for them.

Bison are herd animals and males will live near a herd of females or belong to a herd of males. The Montgomery Zoo added the new Bison to give Tank a more natural environment after female, Sioux, passed away May 9, 2021. Tank is already quite smitten with the new girls and the zoo expects them to be pretty inseparable now that they’re on display together.

“Catori” is Native American for “spirit” while “Sicari” is Native American for “sweet.” Catori is described as bold and more curious while Sicari is more of a follower. The young Bison transferred from Catoctin Zoo in Thurmont, Maryland.

Bison are the largest North American mammal and males of the species can weigh up to 2,000 pounds while females can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. American Bison primarily eat grass, weeds, and plants and can forage for up to 9 to 11 hours per day.

American Bison are considered near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The species were almost hunted to extinction in the late 19th century, until conservation efforts were made in the 20th century.

“We are excited to welcome Catori and Sicari to the North America realm,” Animal Care Manager Andi Clason said. “As the nation’s largest land animal it is our goal to help connect the public to not only exotic animals, but also those that can be found in their own ‘backyard.’ Bison are an incredible example of a species that can be almost extinct, and then brought back through conservation efforts.”

Posted July 26, 2022.    

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Montgomery Zoo to debut bachelor herd of four Nile Lechwe, first of its species, in African Forest display

MONTGOMERY ZOO (Montgomery, AL):  The Montgomery Zoo is excited to publicly debut four male Nile Lechwe, the first of their species, in the African Forest exhibit on July 19. The Lechwe, named Zap, Sjambok, Rungu, and Kaskara, make up the bachelor herd.

Nile Lechwe are antelope whose name translates from Bantu to “Nile antelope.” Nile Lechwe inhabit hot, wet climates in Africa, such as the Bahr-el-Ghazel district of the Southern Sudan, and in Machar Gambella marshes of Ethiopia. Because of these climates, they fit right in to the African Forest display which has tree shading and water for its animal to swim. The Lechwe join the zoo’s Eastern Bongos, Red-Flanked Duiker, and East African Crowned Crane in the African Forest display.

Interestingly for the species appearance, males and females are the same blonde color when they’re born, but males’ coats change from blonde to dark brown with a white patch on the back of their necks as they grow into adults.

Young Lechwe naturally group in small bachelor herds and the Montgomery Zoo hopes to create a breeding environment for the species in the future. No current plans for breeding are being made.

Nile Lechwe are categorized as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). There’s an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 in their native lands in Africa.

The four Nile Lechwe transferred from White Oak Conservation Facility in Yulee, Florida. All four Lechwe have very distinct personalities – Rungu is the calmest and most curious whereas the others are a bit more wary of people and prefer to hang out with each other.

“Nile Lechwe are unlike any ungulate the Montgomery Zoo has ever housed before,” Animal Care Manager Andi Clason said. “Their behavior, adaptations, and unique looks make them a wonderful addition to the African Forest area. They are equipped to be semi-aquatic, and utilize every bit of their new habitat. We are proud to welcome this bachelor herd and look forward to the opportunity to pique guest interest in them as well.”

Posted July 14, 2022.    

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NEW EXHIBIT OPENS at Montgomery Zoo
Snow Leopard exhibit opens to grand reviews! 

MONTGOMERY ZOO (Montgomery, AL): With great enthusiasm and anticipation, the Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum is proud to announce the opening of a new snow leopard exhibit featuring Sierra. With this addition, the Montgomery Zoo’s collection will now feature four of the five world’s large feline species, or as some refer to them as “big cats.” 

The term "big cat" is used in reference to any of the five living members of the genus Panthera, namely tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards, and snow leopards. Sierra will be a welcomed addition to the Zoo’s feline family now making the Montgomery Zoo featuring four of the world's five big cat species. 

Sierra, a three year old female, comes to the Montgomery Zoo from the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia.  Her new home at the Montgomery Zoo is a newly renovated exhibit designed especially for her mimicking the surroundings found in her native habitat, the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. Snow leopards are solitary and nomadic animals; however, Sierra is very curious, stealthy, and is interested in watching human guests.  

Currently, snow leopards are listed as a Vulnerable species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This means the global population living in native habitats are estimated to be below 10,000 individuals. Their decline in population is greatly due to human conflict through mining, illegal hunting, and climate change that is affecting the snow leopard’s life and hunting style.

Sierra will reside as an excellent animal ambassador providing an opportunity for all Zoo guests to learn more about this magnificent species and what as individuals we can do to help flourish their survival status. “Sierra’s arrival shows our commitment to helping threatened species through education,” Animal Care Manager, Andi Clason says. “As the Snow Leopard’s native habitat dwindles, it is becoming imperative that a zoological population be established in conjunction with public outreach. The entire Zoo has worked together to prepare for Sierra and ensure that she will thrive in her new surroundings.”

While Sierra has many adaptations to aid in protection from cold weather – we have carefully monitored her adjustment to Alabama temperatures while she was in quarantine. As many of you recall – her habitat took quite some time to prepare, this is because as an Animal Care team we work to give our animals “choice”. We wanted to insure that Sierra has plenty of tall grass, rocks, shade, fans, misters, and hiding places to “choose” from. Not only does this provide natural environmental variation for Sierra, it allows you to test your skills at spotting an expert in camouflage! Sierra’s coat is adapted to specifically blend into the rocky mountainsides.

During this time we also completely refurbished and updated the building attached to her habitat (Thank you Maintenance Department!). So even though at first you may wonder how we can have a Snow Leopard in Alabama, take a closer look and watch what Sierra “chooses” to utilize in her habitat. You can see these type of functional differences in all of the habitats for our animals, the design and landscaping is not always for aesthetics. As you walk around the Zoo, compare a “hot-weather animal” habitat to a “cold weather animal” habitat, and see if you can spot the subtle design and enrichment choices that aid in the best care for these animals.    

Posted July 5, 2022.