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  • Memphis Zoo Brings Camel Rides to the Mid-South Wednesday, February 15, 2012

    MEMPHIS, TENN. – Camels return to the Memphis Zoo this spring for an all-new animal encounter. For just $5 per person, visitors will have the opportunity to ride one of four camels at the Zoo Ma...

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Releases are listed below in reverse chronological order.

Memphis Zoo Brings Camel Rides to the Mid-South

February 15, 2012

Camels return to the Memphis Zoo this spring for an all-new animal encounter. For just $5 per person, visitors will have the opportunity to ride one of four camels at the Zoo March 3 through October 31.

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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Memphis Zoo Announces Elephant Pregnancy

 MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis Zoo staff have confirmed the pregnancy of one of its African elephants. “Gina” is expected to give birth in summer of 2012.    The pregnancy is a result of the Zoo’s continued participation in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) plans to grow the captive population of elephants. This plan, known as the Species Survival Plan, outlines the management and development of healthy elephant herds in U.S. zoos.   “An ultrasound... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 4:40 PM

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Memphis Zoo Research Department Receives IMLS Grant

Memphis Zoo Research Department Receives IMLS Grant MEMPHIS, TENN. - The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has awarded the Memphis Zoo's Research Department a $300,000 grant under th eNational Leadership Program. This grant will fund a conservation initiative to study salamanders and research reproductive techniques that will help increase their populations. Some species of salamanders,such as hellbenders, have never bred in captivity despite over 50 years of captive husbandry.... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 2:07 PM | 0 comments

Monday, September 26, 2011

MEMPHIS ZOO ZOOKEEPER TRAVELS TO SEE WILD POLAR BEARS

Tammy Hill, a zookeeper with the Memphis Zoo, will travel to the tundra near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada in early October for a week-long Keeper Leadership Camp sponsored by Polar Bears International (PBI), the world’s leading polar bear conservation group. The Memphis Zoo, which is part of PBI’s network of Arctic Ambassador Center zoos, selected Tammy Hill based on her past outreach and community involvement. She will join 14 other zoo professionals from across the U.S. and... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 9:06 AM | 0 comments

Thursday, August 04, 2011

Baby Giraffe Born at the Memphis Zoo

At approximately 6:30 on Monday evening the Memphis Zoo welcomed a female baby reticulated giraffe to its herd.   This is the Zoo’s fifth baby giraffe in five years, following the births of “Angela Kate” in 2006, “Kofi” and “Sesi” in 2008 and “Akili” in 2010. This is the third baby for mom, “Marilyn,” and the fifth sired by dad, “Kenya.”   The new addition has been named “Wendy” after one of the zookeepers who assisted with the birth. The baby appears healthy... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 9:25 AM | 0 comments
Animal News

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Memphis Zoo Researchers Accomplish Breakthrough in Panda Biology

Memphis Zoo researcher, Dr. Erin Willis, will be featured in the Public Library of Science (PLoS) online publication PLoS ONE this month for her work in researching the pregnancy of giant pandas. Dr. Willis' recent breakthrough has unveiled a potential method of early pregnancy detection among giant pandas. The findings of this initial study could prove monumental in managing captive breeding programs. Giant pandas display a phenomenon known as "pseudo-pregnancy," a physiological and... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 9:24 AM | 0 comments

Friday, June 24, 2011

Memphis Zoo Welcomes New Addition to Teton Trek

Staff members at the Memphis Zoo welcomed a baby elk on June 21, the first day of summer. The newest addition to Teton Trek was born on exhibit at approximately 4 p.m. to proud parents, “Big John” and “22855.”   Both parents came to Memphis in late 2009 with the opening of Teton Trek. Elk calves are born weighing approximately 30 pounds and have a spotted coat that is used as camouflage to protect them against predators in the wild.   Zookeepers have determined... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 9:23 AM | 0 comments
Animal News

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Memphis Zoo Education Department Awarded USDA Grant

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded the Memphis Zoo's Education Department a $500,000 grant under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program administered by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). This grant will be the beginning of a long-term distance learning initiative. Dr. Helen Beady, Memphis Zoo Director of Education, applied for this grant to help fund the Education Department's ventures in nanotechnology through a program called "NanoZoo Connects."... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 3:20 PM | 0 comments

Thursday, March 03, 2011

March Comes in Like a Lion at the Memphis Zoo

March truly came in like a lion at the Memphis Zoo this past Tuesday as an almost two-year-old Africa lion named "Thabo"arrived at his new home, the first of three new lions arriving in Memphis this month. Thabo, pronounced TA-bo, means "joy" in Nigeria. The veterinarian who hand-raised him in Tulsa nicknamed him "Biggen." He came to Memphis from the Tulsa Zoo and will be joined by two lionesses from Green Bay later in March. All three lions will be in quarantine in the Zoo's hospital for at... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 2:56 PM | 0 comments

Friday, February 25, 2011

Memphis Zoo Conducts Emergency Training Exercise in conjunction with Memphis Police Department

Friday morning the Memphis Zoo and the Memphis Police Department (MPD) extended their crisis management training by conducting a joint exercise in the Zoo and Overton Park. This particular exercise was for the purpose of practicing the Zoo's and MPD's protocol in the event of an animal escape. The drill scenario involved the hypothetical escape of an animal from the Zoo into nearby Overton Park. As outlined in the Zoo's Crisis Management Plan, MPD was contacted and dispatched to the Zoo,... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 2:25 PM | 0 comments

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Once Upon A Farm Expo Building Gets Makeover

This summer Memphis Zoo visitors will experience a whole new look and feel to the Expo Building inside “Once Upon A Farm.” Construction has begun to remove the existing exhibits within the building and renovate this space for a variety of temporary exhibits and create new possibilities for private rentals.   While the space is not being rented, visitors will enjoy a climate-controlled area featuring three multi-media presentations of family and historic farms for visitors to... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 9:16 AM

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Memphis Zoo “Goes Red” for American Heart Month

MEMPHIS, TENN. – The Memphis Zoo is partnering with the American Heart Association to “Go Red” for the month of February, American Heart Month. Visitors will notice red hearts on each of the animal statues on the Zoo’s entry plaza.   Heart disease remains the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S. The Zoo hopes people will see the red hearts and gain more awareness of how to fight this disease.   “We’re happy to partner with the American Heart Association for the... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 9:26 AM

Monday, January 31, 2011

Memphis Zoo to Install New Playground

MEMPHIS, TENN. – Construction has begun for a new playground at the Memphis Zoo. The Cat House Café patio and adjacent play area will be closed during construction as the new playground will replace the previous structure.   Visitors will be able to enjoy an improved play area, featuring five slides, including a colossus slide... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 3:37 PM

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Memphis Zoo Revamps Mobile Application

The Memphis Zoo has rolled out a series of upgrades that make its mobile application one of the most comprehensive free zoo apps available.   The improved Memphis Zoo application offers a GPS enabled map, the “Friend Finder” party locator, daily and monthly schedules and a video walking tour. The Memphis Zoo has also broadened its reach by making its application available for those who use Android-enabled devices, one of only two Zoos in the United States to do so.   ... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 10:10 AM | 0 comments

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Memphis Zoo Officials Confirm Polar Bear Not Pregnant

Based on the amount of time that has passed since Memphis Zoo polar bear "Haley" should have given birth, Zoo officials have confirmed that she is not pregnant. She will return to the polar bear exhibit this week. Haley's caretakers have been closely monitoring physical signs that she might be pregnant since early November after a natural breeding with male polar bear "Payton" in the spring of last year. When Haley began exhibiting signs of a positive pregnancy, zookeepers moved her to... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 10:19 AM | 0 comments

Saturday, January 01, 2011

Memphis Zoo Offers Half-Price Admission for the Month of January

In January 2011, the Memphis Zoo will offer a 50 percent discount on all daytime general admission tickets purchased at the Zoo.   “We hope that the combination of reduced admission prices and the new Memphis Zoo on Ice skating rink will encourage Mid-Southerners to enjoy the Zoo at a time when the weather is a bit colder,” said Nancy Kelso, Vice President of Visitor Services.   The half-price discount admission tickets must be purchased at the gate and will not be... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 10:07 AM | 0 comments

Saturday, January 01, 2011

Memphis Zoo Offers Ice Skating Lessons and Ice Skating Birthday Parties for January 2011

Mid-Southerners will be able to schedule ice skating lessons and birthday parties at the Memphis Zoo ice rink January 1-30. The Zoo will offer these programs during the rink’s last month of operation this season as it is scheduled to close January 30 and reopen in November 2011.   Available by popular demand, Zoo visitors can schedule a 30-minute ice skating lesson between 8 and 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays during the month of January.  Private and group lessons are... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 9:09 AM | 0 comments

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Memphis Zoo Mourns the Loss of Popular African Lion

 MEMPHIS, TENN. – The Memphis Zoo family is sad to announce that “Fred” has passed away. The 20-year-old African Lion was a popular resident of The Commercial Appeal Cat Country, delighting visitors since his arrival from the Toledo Zoo in February 2003.   “If you were late feeding him or letting him out, Fred would always let you know,” says Louie Bell, zookeeper. “The Zoo seems really quiet without his roar today.”   A necropsy will be performed to determine... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 11:49 AM | 0 comments

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Captive Breeding Program for America's Most Endangered Frog Leaps Ahead

The future is looking a little bit brighter for one of America's most endangered frogs. A recent collaboration between the Memphis Zoo and Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo has resulted in the largest number of dusky gopher frog tadpoles ever bred in captivity. Over 1,400 tadpoles hatched earlier this month after researchers carried out an in vitro fertilization (IVF) for the critically endangered species. Nearly 100 of these tadpoles were from Omaha female gopher frogs’ eggs fertilized with... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 10:13 AM | 0 comments

Thursday, October 14, 2010

MEMPHIS ZOO UNVEILS NEW WEB SITE

The Memphis Zoo has teamed up with SPEAK! Creative to launch a dynamic, redesigned web site on October 15 at www.memphiszoo.org. Featuring a bold, new look geared toward making the site more user-friendly, informative and interactive for visitors, the fresh redesign will prominently feature the Zoo's current and future exhibits, stunning photography, improved search tools and prominent interaction between the Zoo's web site and social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 10:22 AM | 0 comments

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

ZOO STAFF HAVE THEIR HANDS FULL WITH FIVE AFRICAN PENGUIN CHICKS

Five baby African penguin chicks recently hatched at the Memphis Zoo. “Kanoni,” “Lehana,” “Nahla,” “Zerali,” and “Taye” were all born between September 12 and September 17 to three different sets of penguin parents.   “We’ve never had this many penguin chicks at one time,” says Carol Hesch, Assistant Curator. “It’s been a challenge, but we’re very excited to watch them grow and develop.”   The chicks spent their first few weeks with their parents. Once they were old... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 10:24 AM | 0 comments

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

MEMPHIS ZOO PREPARES FOR POSSIBLE POLAR BEAR BIRTH

The Memphis Zoo staff is cautiously optimistic about the arrival of a polar bear cub this fall. 8-year-old "Haley," who has called the Memphis Zoo home since the opening of Northwest Passage in February 2006, may be pregnant with her first cub. Haley and mate, "Payton," came to Memphis from Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, Ill and have been together since they were introduced in November 2005. Their pairing was orchestrated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan - a... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 10:30 AM | 0 comments

Friday, October 01, 2010

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS TRAVELS TO SEE WILD POLAR BEARS AS PART OF PBI CONFERENCE

Jennifer Jaudon, the Director of Marketing and Communications with the Memphis Zoo, will travel to the tundra near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, October 3-9 for a week-long Communicators Leadership Camp sponsored by Polar Bears International (PBI), a conservation group. The Memphis Zoo, which is part of PBI’s network of Arctic Ambassador Center Zoos, selected Jaudon based on her continued accomplishments in national and local public relations, past outreach and community involvement. She... Read More
Posted by zooinfo@memphiszoo.org at 10:32 AM | 0 comments

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Memphis Zoo to Bring Ice Skating Rink to Mid-South in November

MEMPHIS, TENN. – Mid-Southerners will enjoy skating their way into the holidays and winter months on 5,400-square-feet of real ice for the first time ever at the Memphis Zoo. From November 19 through January 31, visitors will be able to pull on their skates and take to the ice at a seasonal, tented ice skating rink located in the picnic area between Northwest Passage and Teton Trek.   Zoo visitors will have the option of combining skating with a day out at the Zoo or... Read More
Posted by support@sitewrench.com at 1:02 PM

Monday, June 14, 2010

Memphis Zoo Staff Pleased with Gorilla Bonding at Primate Canyon

 MEMPHIS, TENN. – Memphis Zoo staff are very excited about the newly formed family group of gorillas now occupying the Primate Canyon exhibit.  The culmination of a two and half year journey, this endangered foursome consists of gorillas acquired from three different zoos.     “We are truly excited about this introduction,” said Sandi Shoemaker, Primate Keeper. “The female gorillas have really bonded, and the dynamic continues to be much better than we could’ve... Read More
Posted by support@sitewrench.com at 9:49 AM | 0 comments
Animal News Gorillas Primate Canyon

Friday, June 11, 2010

Push is On for Memphis Zoo to Reach One Million Visitors

MEMPHIS, TENN. – The Memphis Zoo hopes to welcome its millionth visitor before the end of its fiscal year on June 27 – the second time the Zoo will have hit the milestone mark in its 104-year history. Only a select number of zoos in the country boast one million visitors in a single year.   “While we came close to reaching this goal last year, the opportunity to reach one million visitors in this time of economic downturn is an exciting tribute to the Memphis community and... Read More
Posted by support@sitewrench.com at 12:12 PM

Friday, April 02, 2010

Memphis Zoo Announces Revised Admission Policies

MEMPHIS, TENN. – The Memphis Zoo today announced revised admission policies that are aimed at the Zoo’s ever growing attendance.   “Our top priority is the safety of our guests, Zoo staff and animals,” said Dr. Chuck Brady, Zoo president and CEO.  “We are committed to providing Zoo visitors with an educational, fun and safe experience.”    The Zoo will continue to allow free general admission on Tuesday afternoons after 2 p.m., commonly known as Free Tuesday. Many... Read More
Posted by support@sitewrench.com at 1:55 PM | 0 comments

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Zoo President Response to Free Tuesday

The Memphis Zoo and our staff appreciate all the thoughtful comments and concerns regarding yesterday's Free Tuesday event. At this time, we are collecting your thoughts and reviewing the event's policies and practices with City officials and Zoo managers.   The Zoo is committed to being a family-friendly place where people can connect with our animals, and Tuesday afternoons should not be an exception to that commitment. Our review of yesterday will help us avoid... Read More
Posted by support@sitewrench.com at 10:56 AM

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Memphis Zoo Announces Mobile Web Site and iPhone Application

MEMPHIS, TENN. –The Memphis Zoo has joined elite company by becoming one of just four zoos in the United States to provide visitors with an iPhone application, which in conjunction with the brand new mobile Web site will offer Zoo goers more opportunities to improve the quality of their visit.     The mobile Web site and iPhone application both feature a detailed schedule of Zoo events, such as keeper chats, animal feedings and shows. Visitors can also use their cell phones for... Read More
Posted by support@sitewrench.com at 10:18 PM

Friday, February 05, 2010

Memphis Zoo Announces New Concessions for 2010

MEMPHIS, TENN. - Food becomes another world-class attraction at the Memphis Zoo in 2010 with all-new menu options at the Zoo's foodservice outlets. The Memphis Zoo has partnered with Minnesota-based Lancer Hospitality to introduce a fresh take on Zoo food.  Lancer plans to improve the quality of the foodservice program at the Zoo by showcasing talented culinary staff preparing fresh food visible to the public, sourcing more local products and making a large capital investment in renovations... Read More
Posted by support@sitewrench.com at 4:08 PM

Friday, January 29, 2010

Baby Giraffe Born at the Memphis Zoo

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – At approximately 11:30 Thursday morning the Memphis Zoo welcomed a female baby reticulated giraffe.     This is the Zoo’s fourth baby giraffe in four years, following the births of “Angela Kate” in 2006 and “Kofi” and “Sesi” in 2008.  This is the second baby for mom “Marilyn” and the fourth sired by dad “Kenya.”  This addition brings the Zoo’s giraffe herd to a total of seven.   Zookeepers have named her "Akili" meaning smart in... Read More
Posted by support@sitewrench.com at 10:28 AM


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