This month, the Seneca Park Zoo received the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Quarter Century Award. Established in 2015, this new award acknowledges facilities that have maintained AZA accreditation continuously for 25 years or more, highlighting their commitment to animal care, welfare, conservation, education, and more. The inaugural group of 119 awardees includes many facilities that have successfully achieved AZA accreditation well beyond the 25 year mark, including Seneca Park Zoo, which has maintained accreditation for 37 years.
The award recognizes a commitment to maintaining the highest standards in:
animal care
animal welfare
animal management
veterinary care
conservation
education
staffing
facilities
safety
guest services
and more
Seneca Park Zoo’s dedication to best modern zoological practices and philosophies is a hallmark of AZA accreditation, and we are proud to be honored for our continuous commitment to upholding AZA standards and policies.
Learn more about the AZA programs in which the Zoo participates.
Last week, the Democrat and Chroniclefeatured the Zoo in their latest “Hot Jobs” column. General Curator David Hamilton answered questions about his busy days, his favorite animals and how Zoos fulfill conservation goals around the world.
Polar bears seem to get all the attention in climate change debates, but David Hamilton wishes snow leopards, frogs, sturgeon and other animals threatened with extinction shared the limelight.
“People don’t always realize how intricate and involved the lives of animals are,” said Hamilton, general curator of the Seneca Park Zoo, which has about 180 species, “and how the whole world is tied together.”
We have a troop of 12 baboons that have resided here at Seneca Park Zoo since 2008. I have helped take care of these baboons for more than 5 years and as many of you know, the years tend to blur together after a while. So, when a visitor recently asked me how old some of our baboons were, I realized I didn’t remember their exact ages anymore! Have you ever wondered how old the baboons were?
Luckily, as part of our jobs, we keep medical records and protocols on all of our animals here at the Zoo, so finding the information I was looking for was pretty easy! There are 7 female baboons in our troop. Pimiento is the oldest at 22 years of age. She is easily identified because she has a very stocky build and always is sticking her tongue out!
Is 22 years old for a baboon? Pimiento would be considered just over middle aged, as a baboon’s life expectancy is mid 20s. The next oldest is Ursala at age 18 and then Pearl at 16. Our large alpha male of the troop, Mansino, is now 11 years old. He became the alpha male very early on due to lack of competition, at about 5 or 6 years of age. In the wild, males between the ages of 6 and 8 would begin to challenge each other for the alpha position and the rights to the females.
The other half of the troop are of similar ages. There are three females and two males that are all 8 years old. Three of these 8 year olds are the offspring of the three elder females mentioned earlier.
Lastly, some of you may remember three babies being born in 2011. Olivella, Samson and Pico de Limon are now 4 and a half. They are the offspring of the three 8 year old females and the alpha male, Mansino.
Watching the baboons grow up has been very rewarding to me. Their personalities are all unique and continue to develop every day. Their social structure is constantly affected and ever-changing as every single baboon ages. It is amazing how quickly the time has gone, watching the babies turn into juveniles and juveniles into adults with babies of their own. I’m sure everyone can relate to that!