Utah's Hogle Zoo

It’s with incredible sadness that we share the loss of Ryder, beloved male black-footed cat, who passed away on July 22, 2024. After Ryder (4) was placed under close veterinary care for advanced kidney disease, his health rapidly declined despite treatment and Hogle Zoo made the difficult but responsible decision to humanely euthanize him. Ryder came to us in 2021 from San Diego Zoo Safari Park as part of a breeding recommendation from the Black-footed Cat Consortium. Best known for his playful yet mellow personality, Ryder loved the challenge of puzzle feeders and had a special fondness for scratching posts sprinkled with cinnamon. Our teams had begun the introduction process between Ryder and Gaia, a female black-footed cat who recently joined us on a breeding recommendation. We will continue to work with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Black-footed Cat Consortium for future breeding recommendations for Gaia. Guests can visit Gaia in the Small Animal Building as she continues her daily routines. Ryder was also an outstanding ambassador for his vulnerable species, making significant contributions to the Cincinnati Zoo’s Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) CryoBioBank. His contributions help ensure genetic diversity among black-footed cats and create opportunities for future generations.    💙To Ryder’s community—including his dedicated animal care and health teams, staff, volunteers, and guests—thank you for being part of Ryder’s life, whether through his diligent care or by advocating for his species. He was a cherished member of our zoo family and will be greatly missed.    To read more about Ryder’s passing, visit https://lnkd.in/gCMnSDTA

Even badgers go to the doctor! 🦡🩺 Meet Wild Utah resident Tony, the American badger. He was found digging around a Utah construction site, creating safety concerns for humans and himself. Unable to release him back to his natural habitat, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources relocated him to Hogle Zoo. Upon his arrival, Hogle Zoo’s veterinary teams conducted an exam that revealed sharp, metallic objects in Tony’s chest and lungs. Affectionately named after “Iron Man” Tony Stark, Tony required surgery to remove these objects. After consulting with our friends at MedVet, Board-certified Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Sylvia Lee performed a successful surgery to extract a piece of rusty metal and wood from his chest. Post-surgery, Tony was monitored around the clock and showed great recovery signs, returning to Hogle Zoo the next morning. Thanks to the partnership between Hogle Zoo and MedVet and their commitment to care, Tony had a very successful recovery. You can visit Tony at the all-new Aline W. Skaggs Wild Utah exhibit. If you don’t spot him right away, he could be doing what badgers do best – digging a burrow! The best time to see Tony is right as we open at 9 am. 🔗 Read Tony’s whole story at: https://lnkd.in/gPc3zQpU  

The newest member of the gorilla troop at Utah's Hogle Zoo has a name! Meet Addo, pronounced (ah-doh). His name is as strong and remarkable as he is, coming from the African Ga language of Ghana, where it means "King of the Road." Pele (mom), Addo, and the troop continue to do very well together. Our teams have seen many positive signs from Addo, like occasionally holding on tightly to Pele without her support – showcasing that strong nature! Husani (dad) stays close to Pele to get a glimpse of his son whenever Pele allows it. Overall, the troop is calm and behaving normally – all of which tells our team the troop is doing well. A special thanks to our fabulous donor, Bronwyn Newport, for being a champion for wildlife! Depending on what Addo, Pele, and the troop need, you might spot them outside, off-exhibit, or in their indoor spaces. The best times to see the troop are right at opening (9 am) and around 11:15 am for snack time! 

🦍 We welcomed a male western lowland gorilla infant born on May 30! Mom, 22-year-old Pele, and baby are doing well, and Pele shows excellent maternal care. Read more from Association of Zoos and Aquariums: https://lnkd.in/gb3UM3vy

Earlier this month, Utah's Hogle Zoo unveiled the Aline W. Skaggs Wild Utah exhibit, a three-acre expansion meant to extend guest access to the Zoo’s east side. Highlighting one of the world’s most diverse landscapes, Wild Utah features local species including #Cougars, desert bighorn #Sheep, #Burros, gray #Foxes, #Skunks, western #Toads, yellow-bellied #Marmots, and desert #Tortoises. Wild Utah upgrades include interactive animal care experiences, a maker space, and a bee mural by artist Matt Willey. Another exciting update: thanks to generous support from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, Hogle Zoo's beloved train has returned to visitors. 🚂 The Eccles Express will take riders on a tour around the African Savanna exhibit and through the Wild Utah exhibit. Reflecting a strong commitment to #Conservation and #Sustainability, the Zoo has installed solar panels on the train shed, which generate renewable energy to charge the locomotive at night. This green initiative was made possible through a partnership with Rocky Mountain Power. ⛰️ Our Connect article offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Wild Utah exhibit: https://bit.ly/3KsnIlf. #Wildlife #RenewableEnergy #SolarPanels #BurrowingOwl #Bobcat #SaltLakeCity #Utah #Zoos