Travelers' Tales

Grant Park, 800 Cherokee Ave., SE, Atlanta, Ga., 404/624-5600, zooatlanta.org, $18, ages 3-11 $13, children under 3 free. 2008 LEMURS: Born Apr. 16, 2008 Two black-and-white ruffed lemurs were born in nests made high in the Living Treehouse, the zoo's open-air aviary. Apart from zoos, these lemurs are found only on Madagascar, an island off the southeast coast of Africa, where they're threatened by deforestation. Who Knew? Lemur moms carry infants in their mouths during their first few weeks, which is rare behavior among primates. Aww... See the photo WARTHOG: Born Apr. 16, 2008 The special warthog habitat, which opened in 2007 in the African Plains section, recently welcomed a piglet that has yet to be named. As the baby grows, she will develop tusks that can be up to six inches long. Who Knew? Warthogs do more than grunt and squeal. They often resort to body language (head angles, tail flicks) to communicate—rather like we do. Aww... See the photo ORANGUTAN: Born Oct. 22, 2006; adopted June 20, 2007 Dumadi, whose mother died shortly after his birth, was reared by humans at Indiana's Fort Wayne Children's Zoo for months until Zoo Atlanta stepped in. Now Dumadi lives with his surrogate mom, Madu, and stepbrother, Bernas, in a habitat that mimics the forests of Indonesia. Who Knew? It was key that Dumadi and Madu bond quickly, as orangutans can only learn natural behaviors by observing and copying their moms. And they stay dependent on their moms up until they're 8 or even 10 years old, the longest childhood of any animal except for humans. Aww... See the photo Last Year's Babies: Where Are They Now? PANDA: Giant panda cub Mei Lan was fully weaned from her mother, Lun Lun, in March and has clearly been eating her bamboo—she's up to 110 pounds. The zoo posts frequent panda updates. Keeper Heather Baker Roberts wrote on May 9: "This morning when I tossed some extra bamboo into the habitat for Mei Lan, she stood up on her 'knees' and reached out her forepaws seemingly to catch the bamboo. She was not tall enough, of course, and could not reach it, but it was still very cute." WATERBUCK: Obi is no longer the littlest waterbuck calling the African Plains exhibit home. He has a younger sister, Binti, who was born in summer 2007. GORILLA TWINS: Kali and Kazi, who will turn 3 on Halloween, are a rare example of twin western lowland gorillas. Mom Kuchi has her hands full trying to keep an eye on the two as they scamper around the exhibit. A tomboy, Kazi often winds up pinning her brother to the ground. GIRAFFE: Abu, now 3, got two new playmates when Glenda and Mona recently arrived from Disney. The 2-year-old girls have helped brighten the mood after the death of Masai giraffe Betunia, 23, in August. 2007 PANDA CUB: September 6, 2006 Mei Lan was the only giant panda born in the U.S. in 2006, and she's one of 11 in the country. (There are fewer than 3,000 giant pandas in existence worldwide.) Mei Lan began life about the size of a human hand; at seven months, she's already weighing in at 30 pounds. Zookeepers post updates about Mei Lan and her mother, Lun Lun, on the website, which also hosts a panda cam. Note that the zoo offers 15-minute Panda Habitat Tours. Tickets are free with admission, but you can bypass the often-lengthy lines by making an online reservation at $5 per person for nonmembers. Who Knew? The zoo studied the development of cubs raised in different ways and concluded that those that were mother reared for at least 12 months were much more active than those mother reared for four to five months and then placed with other cubs of their age. Curator Rebecca Snyder wrote on the zoo's blog that she suspects "one of the reasons for this difference is that mothers initiate and stimulate more play behavior." WATERBUCK: Born August 16, 2006 Obi, whose name means "heart" in Swahili, lives in the mixed-species African Plains exhibit alongside zebras, gazelles, and giraffes. In the wild, waterbuck call the grassland savannahs of Africa home. Who Knew? Waterbuck are dimorphic, meaning that the males and females look different. The males have curved horns, with ridges along the bottom. GORILLA TWINS: Born October 31, 2005 Kali and his sister Kazi are the only pair of Western lowland gorilla twins to be reared entirely by their mother (Kuchi) while in captivity. The two made big news because just six cases of twin gorilla births at North American zoos have been recorded since 1966. You can read posts about the twins' antics—and their older siblings—here. Who Knew? While lowland gorillas can look tough and occasionally beat their chests, they're mild and bright animals who live in social groups led by a dominant male. GIRAFFE: Born September 23, 2005 Abu, a reticulated giraffe whose name means "firstborn son" in Swahili, is already about 10 feet tall; the average adult height is 15 feet. While he was born at the Buffalo Zoo, he now lives with Betunia, a female 23-year-old Masai giraffe, in Zoo Atlanta's African Plains habitat. Who Knew? The reticulated and Masai giraffe subspecies are both from East Africa and are differentiated by the color markings on their fur. EXPECTING KANGAROO: Uluru, a red kangaroo who gave birth to a joey last spring, has another joey currently in her pouch. It has already been spotted sticking its head out.

Balboa Park, 2920 Zoo Dr., San Diego, Calif., sandiegozoo.org, 619/231-1515, $34, ages 3-11 $24, children under 3 free. Note that the Wild Animal Park is located off-site in the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido, Calif. A two-park ticket is $60 for adults and $43 for children. 2008 GIRAFFE: Born Feb. 28, 2008 Basel has just made his public debut alongside mother Peggy at the Wild Animal Park. While Basel likes to jump and run around with four other giraffe youngsters (not to mention a white rhino and an African buffalo), he still makes time to nuzzle with mom. Who Knew? Different subspecies of giraffes have different spots. Basel is a reticulated giraffe—most common in Somalia—and has large caramel-brown spots and cream-colored lines. Aww... See the photo MEERKATS: Born Feb. 21, 2008 After spending their first few weeks in the den with their protective mother, Ngami, these four adorable pups can be spotted darting around with their tails up and barking. Who Knew? Life's rough for the zoo's 12 meerkats, who love to spend the morning lying out in the sun and snuggling. If you notice any odd bald spots, not to worry—senior keeper Laura Weiner trims the pups' hair to help tell them apart. Aww... See the photo TURTLES: Hatched Jan. 4-Apr. 17, 2008 This new batch of aquatic matamata turtles represents the first time the species has successfully reproduced at the zoo. Their diet includes a special treat the keepers refer to as Jell-O wigglers: a gelatin ball that has pellets with vitamins and minerals. Who Knew? Matamatas come from Brazil, Guyana, and Trinidad, and the name means "I kill, I kill" in Spanish. The turtle doesn't bite, but it does have a highly effective method of feeding: It waits for a fish to come by and then suddenly opens its mouth and expands its throat, sucking in the fish. Aww... See the photo LION: Born Nov. 2, 2007 African lion cub Tamu has plenty of playmates at the Wild Animal Park: Three siblings were born the same day to mom Oshana, and a litter of three cubs was born to lioness Mina on Nov. 6. Who Knew? Lions are the only cats to live in close-knit, female-led prides—groups of anywhere from three to 30. Yawning, grooming, and roaring tend to be contagious. Aww... See the photo LIZARDS: Hatched Oct. 18, 2007 The arrival of two large Caiman lizards in San Diego marks only the third such hatching in the U.S. They have bright blue and green skins—which put them at risk during hunts in the wild—and can look fearsome. Insects and snails are their main prey. Who Knew? At home in the Amazon Basin in Peru and Brazil, these lizards grow to four feet long and six pounds. Aww... See the photo KANGAROO: Born Sept. 11, 2007 Here's something you don't see everyday—a baby Buerger's tree kangaroo peeking his head out of his mom's pouch. These kangaroos like the tropical rain forests of Papua New Guinea. Who Knew? The kangaroo's family name, Macropodidae, means "big feet." When a kangaroo senses danger, it puts those feet to use by thumping them on the ground as a warning to other 'roos. Aww... See the photo BONOBO: Born Sept. 4, 2007 Mali, whose name means "something valuable" in Swahili, was in critical condition after her mom went through a very difficult delivery. But both pulled through, and Mali is growing stronger and healthier—thanks partially to her regimen of seven daily bottle feedings. Who Knew? Bonobos are slightly smaller than chimpanzees and have dark pigmentation on their feet, hands, and faces. They live under threat in the conflict-ridden forests and lowlands of the Democratic Republic of Congo and in a handful of U.S. zoos. Aww... See the photo PANDA: Born Aug. 3, 2007 Bai Yun's giant panda cub, Zhen Zhen, already weighs 31 pounds and is learning to climb. She has an independent streak, according to zookeepers, but is also learning to get along with older sister Su Lin. You can get an up close look at the whole family—including dad Gao Gao—thanks to the zoo's panda cam. Who Knew? The San Diego Zoo, which has the country's largest collection of giant pandas, harvests 10.5 tons of bamboo annually to keep them fed. Aww... See the photo Last Year's Babies: Where Are They Now? SUN BEAR: Make time for a San Diego visit soon if you want to catch Bornean sun bear cub Bulan. She's gotten so big—almost 86 pounds—that she won't be there much longer. Public relations representative Andrew Circo warned us there are plans in the works to transfer Bulan to another zoo in agreement with the Species Survival Plan, which promotes maximum genetic diversity in a breeding population. ELEPHANT: Litsemba's African elephant calf is now named Punga, a nickname for Impunga ("experienced advisor" in SiSwati). He whiles away the time with best friend and half sister Khosi, who's just six months older, and baby Kamile, whose mom, Umoya, was pregnant at press time last year. OKAPI: Akin Ali, a calf with zebra-like legs and a velvety dark brown upper body, is temporarily on loan to the Los Angeles Zoo. RED RIVER HOGS: Triplets Oboi, Okang, and Mosi have undergone dramatic changes in the past year—and not necessarily for the better. They're as big as any healthy adult hog now and have traded their cute stripes and perkiness for a lumbering, heavyset look. 2007 RED RIVER HOGS: Born March 27, 2007 These yet-to-be-named newborn triplets are nursing and keeping their first-time mother very busy. Red river hogs are native to the forests of western and central Africa and, like most swine, they have a keen sense of smell and use their snouts to dig for roots and tubers. These piglets have another use for snouts; they butt them together when wrestling each other. Who Knew? Also called bush pigs, the animals are primarily active at night and tend to hide in bushes by day—their stripes help them blend in with the surroundings. ELEPHANT: Born March 11, 2007 African elephant Litsemba, which means "the timid one" in SiSwati, gave birth to a male calf in the zoo's Wild Animal Park. Litsemba is one of seven African elephants rescued in August 2003. She was living in a national park in Swaziland, where limited space and droughts threatened the elephants' survival. The zoo hosts elephant shows daily at 1 P.M. and 3 P.M., and has an elephant webcam. Who Knew? African elephants are much bigger than their Asian cousins, and Litsemba's baby can be expected to reach an adult weight of 7 to 8 tons. SUN BEAR: Born September 23, 2006 Bulan is one of just two Bornean sun bears born in the U.S. (both at the San Diego Zoo). The littlest of the eight bear species, sun bears have distinctive yellowish marks—suggesting a glowing sun—on their chests. Who Knew? In Malay, the tree-dwelling bears are called basindo nan tenggil ("he who likes to sit high"). The zoo has more fun facts and a video clip on its website. OKAPI: Born September 21, 2006 Rarely seen in zoos, okapis have striped zebra-like legs yet velvety brown upper bodies. They're native only to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they're threatened by deforestation, fighting, and hunting. More than 30 okapis, including this newcomer named Akin Ali, have been delivered at San Diego's Wild Animal Park, which boasts the highest birth rate outside of Africa. Who Knew? Okapis have long tongues like giraffes, their relatives, and use them to clean their eyes and ears. EXPECTING ELEPHANTS: Two African elephants, Umoya and Lungile, are pregnant. The typical gestation term is about 21 months, and the zoo expects them give birth later this year (one in May or June and the other at the end of 2007).

Fairmount Park, 3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, Pa., 215/243-1100, philadelphiazoo.org, $13 Dec.-Feb. and $18 Mar.-Nov., ages 2-11 $13 Dec.-Feb. and $15 Mar.-Nov., children under 2 free. 2008 PENGUIN: Hatched Apr. 2, 2008 It's too early to tell whether baby Spud is a boy or girl, but it's already clear that this tiny, fuzzy, charcoal-grey Humboldt penguin is a crowd pleaser. Spud can be spotted in the zoo's Bird Valley, while its distant relatives live along the rocky western coast of Peru and Chile. Who Knew? The male Humboldt preps the nest burrow by using his wings and feet to mold dried guano (seagull poop) and then cement it with soil and rocks. Parents alternate sitting on the eggs until they hatch, typically in 39 days. Aww... See the photo MONKEY: Born Mar. 15, 2008 Celebrities aren't the only ones to take some creative license with baby names. Bolivian titi monkeys Marjorie Belle and Bellini are the parents of Jack Sparrow—a likely nod to Pirates of the Caribbean's chattering monkey, Jack. Who Knew? The Pirates trilogy stars not a furry orangish titi but capuchin monkeys, which have a different look: dark-brown or black body and cream-colored face and upper arms. SIFAKA: Born Feb 8, 2008 The results from the popular vote are in. With a tally of 1,498 votes, Loka ("prize" in Malagasy) is the winning name for this baby sifaka. He joins his parents and other lemurs in PECO Primate Reserve. Who Knew? In the wild, Coquerel's sifakas like Loka dwell in trees on the island of Madagascar. Their strong hind legs allow them to cover more than 30 feet in a single jump. Aww... See the photo OTTER: Born Nov. 3, 2007 Giant river otter Banjo is very protective of his youngest pup, whom zookeepers have named Rose. Like her five family members, Rose is playful and outgoing by nature. She likes to splash around the giant heated pool in the Carnivore Kingdom exhibit and fuels up on trout, tilapia, and herring. Who Knew? Giant river otters are one of the rarest otter species, with only 2,000 to 5,000 left in the wild (mostly in the rivers of South American rain forests). A river otter's fur is so dense that water never gets past the outer hairs to the skin. Find more interesting facts at philadelphiazoo.org. Aww... See the photo

National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW, 202/633-4800, nationalzoo.si.edu, free. Last Year's Babies: Where Are They Now? SLOTH BEAR: Balawat, 2, is now exhibited separately from his mom, Hana, though she's still protective and occasionally nurses him. Bala's been trained to show his paws and have his teeth brushed (only rarely does he try to steal the brush). PANDA: Giant 181-pound cub Tai Shan will celebrate his third birthday on July 9. With any luck, he may soon have a younger sibling. It's panda mating season at the zoo, and keepers are closely monitoring his mom, Mei Xiang, who was artificially inseminated in mid-March. Check nationalzoo.si.edu for the latest news and footage on the panda cam. 2007 GOLDEN LION TAMARIN: Born November 8, 2006 For more than 30 years, the zoo has been observing and breeding golden lion tamarins and then releasing these small monkeys in Brazil's Atlantic coastal forests (their natural abode). As part of the program, each summer a pair or family of tamarins is let loose to explore the zoo freely; note that they tend to congregate in the trees of Beaver Valley. Who Knew? Tamarins give alarm calls when they feel threatened and have a specific call for when large birds are spotted overhead. When others hear the call, they often dash to the trunks of trees. Find out more here. KIWI: Born February 13, 2006 A rare North Island brown kiwi, Manaia is only the second such bird to hatch at the National Zoo in its 116-year history. New Zealand is the birds' homeland, and the chick's name means "guardian of the earth and sky" in Maori (the language of indigenous New Zealanders). The country's ambassador to the United States made a special trip to meet Manaia last May. Visitors from all corners of the globe can get an up close look through the Meet a Kiwi program on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, or through the kiwi cam. Who Knew? Unlike other birds, kiwis have poor eyesight and a great sense of smell. Nostrils near the tip of their long bills allow them to smell their prey—as opposed to seeing it. SLOTH BEAR CUB: Born January 9, 2006 The cub Balawat lives with his parents in the Asia Trail near the Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat. Sloth bears, common in India and Sri Lanka, are nocturnal creatures that make noisy grunting sounds and use their long, curved claws to get at insects. Listen to an audio clip and find out more about these little-known bears here. Who Knew? Cubs spend the first several months underground, and once they emerge from the den, they stay by their mothers for two or three years before venturing off. PANDA CUB: Born July 9, 2005 Tai Shan ("peaceful mountain" in Chinese) is the zoo's star attraction: a much-loved, playful giant panda cub, who measured less than 12 inches long when he was born. Thousands of visitors turned out last summer to join in his first birthday celebrations. According to the zoo, only around 1,600 giant pandas survive in the bamboo forests of central China, and the endangered animals have become an international symbol of conservation efforts. You can make a donation to the zoo's efforts, learn more about Tai Shan's family tree, and scope him out on the panda cam by clicking here. Who Knew? The zoo held a contest to determine the cub's name and, after 200,000 votes, dubbed him Tai Shan when he was 100 days old. EXPECTING PANDA: In early April, giant panda Mei Xiang—the mother of Tai Shan—was artificially inseminated in coordination with the San Diego Zoo and its male panda, Gao Gao. Zookeepers are closely tracking Mei Xiang's hormones and posting detailed updates on their Pregnancy Watch page. They estimate that it will be three to six months before a cub is born.