Frequent visitors to Dickerson Park Zoo probably know that
we have giraffe babies about every other year. Some lucky guests have probably
even witnessed a birth, but have you ever wondered what we have to do when the
babies are born in the winter? Two of our females are going to have babies this
winter, and our staff is getting ready!
Our giraffes stay in the barn when it is below 32 degrees
outside at night. We don’t want babies to be welcomed into the world on hard
concrete, so we haul in about one cubic yard of dirt into a stall (one
wheelbarrow load at a time!). The dirt is spread evenly throughout the stall.
The expectant mother stays in that stall each night until
the baby is born. Depending on what the weather is like during the day, the
mother and calf might have to stay inside for a few days. If it is warm enough,
we will let them go outside. It usually takes the calf a little while to figure
out how to get outside. Mom makes frequent trips back in the building to check
on her calf and to try to get it to follow her.
Winter babies are definitely more work for the zookeepers, but it is always exciting to walk in the building first thing in the morning and see a new face staring at you!
Written by Andrea Kendrick, Zookeeper
It is with heavy hearts this morning that we write. Our elephant calf Nisha died from the elephant herpesvirus in the early hours of Dec. 1. Her zookeepers and the adult female elephants were with her in the elephant barn throughout the night.
While there were a few positive signs yesterday, Nisha's condition deteriorated rapidly throughout Friday evening.
Our elephant keepers and everyone here at Dickerson Park Zoo are deeply saddened by the loss of Nisha. She was a darling of our community, and many throughout the Ozarks participated in naming her after her birth in 2006 and enjoyed watching her grow up these last 16 months. We know you - our visiting public - will miss her as much as we will.
If you would like to send a message of support to Nisha's keepers, click on the comments link below or send an e-mail.
Cotton-top tamarins are small primates about the size of a squirrel. They weigh less than one pound and get their name from the white crest and mane on their head.
Cotton-top tamarins live in treetops in troops of 10-12 individuals. They are excellent jumpers and use their claws for climbing. Cotton-top tamarins feed primarily on fruits, insects and small vertebrates.
Monogamous pairs use a "helper" system for raising offspring, where males and siblings also carry the infants. Four out of every five births are twins. They are known to live more than 13 years in captivity.
Dickerson Park Zoo is home to three cotton-top tamarins. Josh and Nina were introduced for breeding in late 2006. Their first infant was born August 3. Zookeepers have not yet been able to examine the infant or determine its gender.
Found solely in northwestern Columbia, the cotton-top tamarin is extremely endangered. To date, more cotton-top tamarins live in captivity than in the wild. More than three-quarters of their habitat has been destroyed due to deforestation for settlement, farming and hydroelectric projects. The illegal pet trade and medical research have also contributed to deteriorating populations.
Extinction of the cotton-top tamarin would have serious implications on the delicate ecosystem of northwest Columbia. They are an important source for dispersing seeds throughout the forest.
Nisha turns one on July 18. My how she's grown. She was 238 pounds at birth and now weighs more than 880 pounds!
Celebrate Nisha's birthday and help elephants in the wild. We've put together a special ADOPT package for Nisha's birthday. For $75, you receive a 12-inch TY plush elephant, a 5x7 color photograph of Nisha, an elephant fact sheet and a personalized ADOPT certificate. Dickerson Park Zoo will contribute $25 of your ADOPT fee to help elephants in the wild in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is home to more than 3,000 wild Asian elephants, which is significant for this fairly small island. Many conservation projects provided by National Zoo are underway to preserve the mystifying Asian elephants and protect populations from further harm. Projects include GPS satellite mapping to track elephant herds and studies to understand how traditional agricultural dynamics influence elephant movements and habitat. Dickerson Park Zoo has been contributing to these efforts since 2005, and will continue to help raise awareness of Asian elephant conservation.
Peek-a-boo! I see you!
Zookeepers found this bright-eyed squirrel monkey infant slinging to its mother's back on Sunday morning, June 24. It was born sometime over night. These petite monkeys are quick on their feet, so look closely to see baby when you come through the South America exhibits at Dickerson Park Zoo. Another female is expecting, too, so soon there will be two babies!
