Jackson Zoo Animal Update March 21, 2011

Conservation Connection Jackson Zoo Animal Update March 21, 2011

Spring is Here!!

A big thank you to our thousands of supporters who visited during spring break week- each day the zoo was packed with visitors who came out to enjoy the fantastic weather.

Other great things that come with Spring are Birthdays and Family Reunions! Don't forget the zoo when planning your next 'wild' party! With many packages to choose from, we are sure to make your birthday or reunion a memorable one!

For more information or to book your party please contact Georgina Johnson at [email protected], visit our website at www.jacksonzoo.org or call 601.352-2580 x228

Spring, Birthdays and Family Reunions- It's All At The Jackson Zoo!

Rhino Update New Arrival; Pygmy Hippo Male Scheduled to arrive in Jackson 'Clementine' is settling into her on March 22nd exhibit very well. Zoo hopes rhinos will breed as Our new part of SSP conservation program. male Rhino,

'Ronnie' will

be arriving in Jackson from the White Oak Conservation Center in Florida on March 22nd. He will be placed in the renovated barn (which used to house our elephants) and be observed under quarantine for his first 30 days. After that, he will be allowed access to the outdoor exhibit area and our female 'Longhorn' will join him following an introduction process. Visitors to the zoo will be able to view them in late April.

At two years old, 'Clementine' came to Other Animal News..... us on breeding loan from the Gladys Primate couples paired up and placed Porter Zoo in Brownville TX, where she on display. was born. She joins 'Timmy' our resident male who is 34 years old and originally from Jacksonville Zoo in FL. 'Timmy' has sired 2 other offspring here at the Jackson Zoo so we are hopeful he will do the same with 'Clementine'.

The Pygmy Hppo is much smaller than a regular hippo and stands only 2 and a half feet tall and weighs between 350-500 pounds. New male Red Ruffed Lemur (pictured above) was moved from quarantine to the Pygmy Hippos are herbivores and feed lemur building to be with his new mate on on various vegitation, leaves, roots, March 17th. grasses, fruits and aquatic plants. This species is quite rare with an A pair of Colobus monkeys (pictured estimated 3000 remaining in the wild. below) were put on display for the first They are hunted for their teeth and for time on March 16th. After some brief food. mating behavior was observed, the two have been doing well together.

Summer Camp Registration Continues

This summer, visit with animals, play games, make crafts, and discover nature!

Week long day camps for ages 4-5, 6-8 and 9- 12 start on June 6th.

For more information or to register for camp, please visit www.jacksonzoo.org or call 601.352.2580 x241

Zoo admission is $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for children ages 2-12, and $7.20 for senior citizens (65 and over). Children under the age of 2 and Friends of the Zoo members are admitted free of charge.

The Jackson Zoo is located at 2918 West Capitol Street in Jackson and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday. Visit www.jacksonzoo.org to check out exciting special events, animal updates, one-of-a-kind education programs, membership and adoption packages, and so much more. The Jackson Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The AZA is America's leading accrediting organization that sets rigorous, professional standards for zoos and aquariums. The AZA is building North American's largest wildlife conservation movement by engaging and inspiring the 143 million annual visitors to is member institutions and their communities to care about and take action to help protect wildlife.