It’s a very special day here at Seneca Park Zoo as we celebrate the life of our female Bornean orangutan Kumang, who turns 40 today.
Kumang has an interesting history, starting with her birth in 1977 at Bellvue Gardens in Manchester, England…a zoo that was in the process of closing at the time. She, along with several other orangutans and gorillas, were rescued from the facility by Gordon Mills, the manager of singer Tom Jones. Gordon had a private zoo with many animals and more than enough space for the new additions.Kumang’s mother died when Kumang was only 18 months old, and a young keeper named Jeremy Keeling hand-raised her, then integrated her back into the group of orangutans she arrived with. Jeremy went on to found a primate rescue center called Monkey World, which has rescued hundreds of primates over the years and is still up and running today.
Gordon Mills donated Kumang and several other orangutans to San Diego Zoo when she was 7. She lived there until 1991, when the Orangutan SSP recommended she be sent to Seneca Park Zoo for breeding with a male named Jiggs. SSP stands for Species Survival Plan, and in short, they promote cooperation among various institutions to ensure the long-term survival of the species in conservation care.
Bornean orangutans are currently listed as critically endangered by IUCN, with the demand for palm oil the main cause of their population’s decline. You can learn more about palm oil and how you can help by visiting Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s website.At Seneca Park Zoo, Kumang has given birth to 4 offspring: 2 males (Bandar and Datu) and 2 females (Dara and Bella). She has been no less than a perfect mother to all of them, and we here at Seneca Park Zoo are so very proud of her and her parenting skills. Bandar and Datu have both been fathers to offspring, magnifying Kumang’s impact to the Species Survival Plan.
Happy birthday Kumang, we wish you many more!— Brian Sheets, Zoologist
County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo and Seneca Park Zoo officials are pleased to announce the birth of a California sea lion pup at the Zoo. The pup was born last week to 8-year-old Lily and the gender will be determined by animal care staff as the pup develops.
“Right as summer begins, we are thrilled to welcome this new addition to the Seneca Park Zoo family,” said Dinolfo. “While there are many reasons to visit the Seneca Park Zoo this summer, seeing the new sea lion pup in the Rocky Coasts is sure to be a highlight of the season for all of our guests.”
The new pup will have access to both the indoor and outdoor areas of its habitat as it bonds with Lily during the next few weeks. “Animal care staff will be closely monitoring the pup’s health and development, while ensuring that its mother guides the process,” says Zoo Director Larry Sorel. “We will provide Lily with support as she establishes maternal behaviors.”
Seneca Park Zoo participates in the Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for the California sea lion. This program aims to sustain in conservation care genetically diverse populations of California sea lions, which face environmental threats from pollution and the fishing industry in their natural range.
Lily came to the Zoo in 2009 after sustaining an injury to her right front flipper and becoming stranded on a beach in Los Angeles County. She was rehabilitated at the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort McArthur in San Pedro, California before coming to the Zoo.
“Many sea lions in zoos have been injured in and cannot be released back to their natural range,” says Zoo Society Executive Director Pamela Reed Sanchez. “Our sea lions help our guests understand the difficulties encountered when humans and animals share the same space.”
Last year, three sea lions at the Zoo died unexpectedly of causes found to be unrelated after extensive testing. The Zoo initiated assessments of its sea lion program by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). After their assessment, the USDA found no issues requiring documentation. The AZA report did not observe any aspect of the sea lion care program or habitat that did not comply with AZA standards and best practices, and noted the Zoo’s exemplary water quality management and record-keeping. The AZA also stated “zoo leadership is to be commended for reaching out to USDA and AZA and asking for this audit. They were incredibly transparent and provided access to anything we requested to explore.”
“After a difficult fall for the dedicated staff that cares for the sea lions, we are delighted to see Lily and her pup doing well and are looking forward to a wonderful summer,” says Sorel.
The sea lions reside in the Rocky Coasts section of the Zoo and can be viewed from multiple locations, including an indoor, underwater viewing gallery. Plan a visit this summer to see the sea lions in action and welcome the new pup.
County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo and Seneca Park Zoo officials are proud to announce the hatching of the Zoo’s 100th African penguin chick. The chick is the 100th hatched at Seneca Park Zoo in its nearly 20-year history of breeding this endangered species.
“We are thrilled to welcome another penguin to the Zoo and so proud of the monumental conservation achievements that it represents,” said Dinolfo. “Residents should be very proud of the work Seneca Park Zoo is doing as a national leader in the conservation breeding of African penguins.”
The Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) African Penguin Species Survival Plan (SSP) as one of the foremost breeding programs in the world. Only three other zoos nationally have hatched 100 or more African penguin chicks in conservation care. Seneca Park Zoo joins the ranks of Maryland Zoo, New England Aquarium and Denver Zoo in this achievement.
“The hatching of the 100th chick at Seneca Park Zoo is an important milestone for our renowned breeding program,” says Larry Sorel, Zoo Director. “It highlights the work we are doing in conjunction with other AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums to save this bird from extinction.”
Of the 100 chicks hatched at Seneca Park Zoo, 68 chicks have been sent to 26 accredited zoos and aquariums across North America as part of the SSP. This program aims to ensure genetic sustainability for this endangered species.
Steven Sarro, Curator at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park and AZA Species Survival Coordinator for African penguins commented: “Seneca Park Zoo has been an integral member of the African Penguin Species Survival Plan for the past 20 years. The dedication to this SSP proves that a smaller zoo or aquarium can have a major impact on conservation work for endangered species, such as the African penguin. We commend them for this milestone and know that we can count on Seneca Park Zoo to do its part in preventing this charismatic species from becoming extinct in the future.”
African Penguins have been designated by AZA as a signature Species for the SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program, underscoring the critical status of this species, and inspiring action from a broad array of supporters and AZA-accredited zoos.
The largest threats to the survival of the African penguin are changes and destruction of habitat and diminishing food sources because of commercial fishing. One of the most distressing forces affecting the survival of these penguins is oil spills.
Scientific knowledge gained from the success of breeding programs in zoos is being used to help assist breeding programs in the natural range of this species, where population decline is due in large part to breeding failure. Zoos across the country have also adopted breeding techniques and strategies documented by Seneca Park Zoo staff with great success in the last 20 years.
Seneca Park Zoo also participates in the conservation of African penguins by partnering with the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Costal Birds (SANCCOB), a nonprofit organization with the primary objective of reversing the decline of seabird populations through the rescue, rehabilitation and release of ill, injured, abandoned and oiled seabirds. Fundraising efforts at the Zoo’s Front Gate and at special events have contributed thousands of dollars toward these efforts in recent years.
The 100th chick is named Ikhulu, meaning “one hundred” in Zulu, the most widely spoken language in the species’ native South Africa. Female African penguin Georgia and male Phoenix are the parents of the new chick. It will be closely monitored as it continues to develop.
The Zoo has created a commemorative t-shirt to celebrate this conservation milestone, featuring each of the 100 penguins hatched at Seneca Park Zoo and where they currently reside. A limited number of these unique t-shirts will be available for purchase at the ZooShop while supplies last. T-shirts cost $19.99 and can be purchased at the ZooShop or by calling (585) 336-7203.Photo by Kevin BlakelyLEARN MORE ABOUT PENGUINS
County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo and Seneca Park Zoo officials are pleased to announce the birth of two ring-tailed lemur babies. The babies were born on Tuesday to 6-year-old Selma, and the genders are still being determined.
“We are thrilled to welcome two new lemurs to the Zoo family,” said Dinolfo. “The babies are a wonderful addition to the Zoo and are sure to captivate guests for the rest of the summer and beyond.”
The babies are doing well and are on exhibit for the time being. “The natural processes of nursing and development are already underway,” says Zoo Director Larry Sorel. “Animal care staff will be carefully monitoring the babies’ progress as they grow.”
The ecosystem of Madagascar, where ring-tailed lemurs are native, is a conservation priority for the Seneca Park Zoo, which has been raising funds and doing field work in the African island nation for decades. Recently, Party Mad at the Zoo and the Jungle Jog 5K both raised important funds for education and conservation programs in Madagascar. The Zoo Society’s docents also continue to partner with lemur expert Dr. Patricia Wright to fund and participate in research at the Centre Val Bio in Madagascar’s Ranomafana National Park. The Zoo Society’s One Cubic Foot initiative also made an impact there in May, replicating its citizen science project for two weeks with nationally renowned photographer David Liittschwager.
Selma and 8-year-old Bradigan came to the Zoo in 2014 from the Bramble Park Zoo in South Dakota and Indianapolis Zoo, respectively. Ring-tailed lemurs are endangered in their natural range due to habitat loss and hunting.
“We hope that guests coming to visit the newborn lemurs will be inspired to take action on behalf of the conservation of this endangered species,” says Zoo Society Executive Director Pamela Reed Sanchez.
The lemurs reside in the Main Building at the front of the Zoo. Come visit them soon!
Many people came to know and love the Mexican wolves during their four and a half years spent at our Zoo. I get asked on a daily basis where they are and/or how they are doing. The short answer is they are doing great!
The three brothers left our Zoo in November for the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, New York. They lived together for almost a month before Durango and Chico headed out west in December. They moved to The Living Desert in Palm Desert, California, and are adjusting to life there very well.
Diego
Diego, aka “the dark one” and M1059, stayed on at the WCC in NY state to hopefully breed with one of their females, F1143. He is 8 years old and she is 7 years old, and they share the same birthday, April 22nd. Neither one of them had ever lived with any other wolves before, other than their own families.
Diego’s Mate
About a week after Diego’s brothers left him, they started the introductions to his new potential mate. Their enclosure is a full acre of wooded land with a fence through the middle dividing it in half. To begin the intros, he was on one half and she was on the other, so they could get to know each other slowly. Everything progressed in the right direction so, after a few weeks, they opened up the gates between them so they could have full access to each other. So far, so good!
Diego and his mate
Diego’s younger half-brother and his new mate live in another enclosure there, and they are recommended for breeding this year as well. All of their genes are very valuable among the Mexican Grey Wolf population, so hopefully there will be two litters of pups there this spring. All of them would be considered as potential release candidates in the future.
In the meantime, keep your fingers crossed, and if you want any further information, visit nywolf.org
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.
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?
Photo by Marissa Smithler
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!
Photo by Wendy Recchia
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.
Photo by Joe Spandrusyszyn
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!
Our eastern hog-nose snake animal sign next to its exhibit at the Zoo will tell you the snakes’ natural range, diet, threat level and some other interesting facts. What no sign can convey is how theatrical these snakes really are: if there was an Academy Award for the most dramatic snake, the hog-nose snake would go home with the Oscar.
Photo by Jeff LeClere
If a hog-nose snake is threatened, it has quite the repertoire of movements and behaviors to distract and evade an attacker. The first tactic the hog-nose snake will use is to flatten out its head, giving it the appearance of having a hood, like a cobra. It then will take a very deep breath to inflate itself and then release the breath causing a loud hissing sound. If this had not deterred its irritant, the hog-nosed snake will strike. The snake does not open its mouth to bite, it only strikes at the attacker by hitting the attacker with its nose and face. A lot of other snakes will use these same types of scare tactics to ward off an attacker; however, other snakes will typically bite when they strike. The rest of the hog-nose snake’s dramatic tactics are specific to this species.
Photo by Amanda Davis
When hooding up, hissing and mock-biting will not deter a threat, the hog-nose snake will flail around, appearing to be having convulsions. The convulsive fit includes the snake thrashing around with its mouth open with its tongue hanging out. This performance is ended by the hog-nosed snake rolling onto its back and playing dead with its mouth open and tongue hanging out. The snake will even go as far to appear to have blood coming from its mouth and anus, as well as defecating and excreting a foul odor. When the snake is picked up, it will be limp. If the snake is set back down with its belly down, it will quickly flip over so it is upside down on its back again. After some time has passed, the snake will pick its head up and check for danger. If the threat is gone, it will roll over and scurry away.
The eastern hog-nose snake gives the best performance when evading an intruder. There are other snakes out there that have their own tactics when being confronted by a threat, but none give the convincing dramatic performance like that of the eastern hog-nosed snake. The eastern hog-nose snake in the ECO center at the Zoo typically will not put on this dramatic performance because they have a pretty easygoing life and don’t have the need to act out. They are capable of it, however, and would give the performance of a lifetime if needed.
Learn more about eastern hog-nose snakes and other species of reptiles and amphibians at Snakes and Friends Day this Saturday, August 22!
Bornean orangutan Bella and her parents Kumang and Denda have just been enrolled in an enriching research program where their decision-making and mathematical skills will be scientifically assessed on exhibit for Zoo guests to observe.
Bella, photo by Mike Wemett.
The University of Rochester Cognitive Sciences research lab of Dr Jessica Cantlon will be expanding its ongoing research with our olive baboon troop to include 36-year-old Kumang, 12-year-old Denda and 2-year-old Bella. Earlier this week, Denda demonstrated impressive finger and tongue dexterity skills in his first trial, starting with games and treats. The tasks will become more engaging and technical over time, advancing to double sided touch screens where Zoo guests will be able to watch the orangutans demonstrate cognitive skills.
Denda and Sara, one of Dr. Cantlon’s research assistants. Photo by Dr. Jeff Wyatt.
“Bella is curious and playful,” says zoo keeper Mike Wemett. “As a zoo keeper, I have the privilege of watching her grow up and learn from her mother, and this research will track some of that development.”
Bella, photo by Mike Wemett.
Engaging science to better understand orangutan intelligence will help us advance novel approaches to designing new programs and exhibits that are stimulating and enriching.
—Dr. Jeff Wyatt, Director of Animal Health and Conservation
