Blog

MEMPHIS, TENN. – One of the most critically endangered species – the Amur leopard – has found a new home at Memphis Zoo. Indigenous to the woodlands of southeastern Russia and northeastern China, it is considered the rarest big cat in the world. This male cat, named “Sputnik,” arrived in Memphis from Greenville Zoo in South Carolina. Sputnik is 16 months old and is one of only about 250 of its species remaining today. ... Read More

MEMPHIS, TENN. – On Tuesday morning of this week, two female elephants stepped into Memphis Zoo’s elephant yard – and their new home – for the first time.  The African elephants named “Daisy” and “Bambi,” (pronounced Bom-bee) joined their new herdmates, “Gina,” “Asali,” and “Tyranza,” (also known as “Ty”) after 28 years touring the country with a circus run by the Pages family.  When the... Read More

MEMPHIS, TENN. – Memphis Zoo is delighted to announce the birth of not one, but two, California sea lions earlier this month.  The new pups – both female – are the offspring of father “Andre” and moms “Remy” and “Catalina.”             “We are so pleased to welcome these girls to our sea lion family,” shared Courtney Janney, area curator. “Born just... Read More

MEMPHIS, TENN. – Memphis Zoo staff members, accompanied by The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA), released a rehabilitated adult male bald eagle into Lauderdale County this morning. On March 9, TWRA Officer Tim Ward encountered the bird in an area north of Ripley, Tenn. The bird was lethargic, and laying down across a railroad track. Upon capturing the bird, Ward brought it to Memphis Zoo to be treated. “He was in bad shape when I found him,” said Ward. “I... Read More

The Memphis Zoo is home to over 4,500 different animals and 500 different species, including the oldest African elephant in North America--wow! Tyranza, or Ty as most call her, one of three female African elephants at the Memphis Zoo, will turn 54 years old in July.  African elephants are the largest land mammal in the world, reaching upwards of 15,000 pounds and 13 feet tall at their shoulders. They are primarily herbivores, believe it or not, dining mostly on hay. Ty, Asali and... Read More