9/12/2023 0 Comments Gladys porter zoo brownsville![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() When the power would come on, the animals would be brought to their original habitats to eat, but when the power went off, they would again be packed up and taken to the clinic, where they would stay overnight. Animal care staff at Gladys Porter wrapped the mammals up in blankets, put them in crates, and hauled them over to the animal health clinic. The scaly anteaters are originally from Africa and twenty-degree temperatures are not something they can handle. The power outage meant animals that aren't cold tolerant needed to be moved right away.įirst up was the five pangolins. The zoo has three generators: one operates the aquarium along with the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) for the herpetarium, one for the animal health facility where surgeries take place, and onre at the commissary which houses up to 2,000 lbs. We never faced anything like this before." said Colette Adams, deputy director of the zoo. Andean bear Ben playing with enrichment barrel."There was enormous panic initially. Andean bear Ben holding and licking food off a Boomer Ball. # Andean bear Ben sitting on top of his favorite barrel. The Saint Louis Zoo and the other AZA-accredited institutions collectively dedicate millions of dollars annually to support scientific research, conservation and education programs. ![]() Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Saint Louis Zoo is part of an elite group of institutions that meet the highest standards in animal care as well as provide fun, safe and educational family experiences. One of the few free zoos in the nation, the Saint Louis Zoo is the most-visited attraction in the region. Home to over 16,000 animals, representing nearly 500 species, the Saint Louis Zoo is recognized worldwide for its innovative approaches to animal care and management, wildlife conservation, research, and education. Zoos are working hard to help save this incredible species. This threat will only worsen in coming years as urban populations rapidly expand throughout the Andes-Amazon region. Estimates suggest fewer than 18,000 bears now survive in the wild. Deforestation has caused a dramatic decline in the population of this species in recent years. This means that Andean bears face a high risk of extinction in the wild. Staff members are providing Ben with excellent care and fun enrichment opportunities while also using positive reinforcement training to help him become comfortable with his travel crate so that he has a smooth journey to his new home in Texas.Ĭurrently, Andean bears are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species as Vulnerable. “I am so grateful for the excellent care provided to Ben by our Animal Care team here and everyone’s willingness to seek opportunities for Ben to thrive.”īen currently is residing in a non-public area of the Saint Louis Zoo that has both indoor and outdoor options, including a pool. “While we love Ben, and wish he could stay with us, our goal is to do what is best for him,” said Regina Mossotti, Vice President of Animal Care, Saint Louis Zoo. Their Andean bear habitat that includes a moat rather than steel mesh outdoor habitat, which the group believes would be a more ideal environment for Ben. The Gladys Porter Zoo is an AZA-accredited zoo with a long history of working with Andean bears. Together, the group agrees that it is in Ben’s best interest to transfer him to the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas. Ben was born at and is on loan from the WCS’s Queens Zoo.Įven though the Andean bear habitat at the Saint Louis Zoo met all standards for this species set forth by the AZA and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prior to the habitat’s opening in 2014, and has housed several bears successfully during that time, the SSP, the TAG, the WCS’s Queens Zoo, and the Saint Louis Zoo team focused on Ben’s specific and unique personality to help determine the best home for the young bear. The AZA Bear TAG consists of bear expert advisors who help to identify, manage and support AZA’s cooperative animal care programs to support zoos that work with bears. The Saint Louis Zoo is partners with the AZA Andean Bear SSP, which is a conservation breeding program that manages a genetically healthy population of this endangered species in North American zoos. Louis, Mo (March 21, 2023) Saint Louis Zoo staff experts have consulted with members of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Andean Bear Species Survival Plan (SSP), the AZA Bear Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) and the Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Queens Zoo in New York to determine next steps with Andean bear Ben. ![]()
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