The Maryland Zoo

Labor Day isn't the end of summer. It's the beginning of fall event season! https://lnkd.in/eEQdnCga Wild Water Splash Days kicks it off on August 21 - September 1 followed by Fatal Fauna - a murder mystery dinner party to die for! On weekends in October, Zoo Boo and Trunk or Treat (October 17) provide a fun, safe way for kids to celebrate Halloween. It's the adults' turn to cut loose on October 19th and 20th when OktoBEARfest, the region's largest craft beer festival, returns with beer, bands, and activities throughout the Zoo. Work the calories off with friends at the Zoo Zoom Zombie Run on October 26th.

We helped create the Namibian Center for the Conservation of Seabirds (NAMCOB for short). Jess Phillips, one of our bird specialists, is there as acting director while the international search for a perment Executive Director continues. Last week, experts from the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) joined Jess at NAMCOB to train first responders how to capture, stabilize, and transport injured birds - including those who become coated in oil as a result of commercial shipping in the coastal waters. As fate would have it, during the workshop they received a call about an oil-covered juvenile penguin found near the Namibia/South Africa border. They were able to transport the bird to NAMCOB and stabilized it with tubing electrolytes and formula. We're happy to report that the bird is getting stronger each day and will be re-released once it is well enough. This exemplifies why Maryland Zoo is a founding member of NAMCOB, along with SANCCOB, the Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation, Namibian Chamber of Environment, Namibia Nature Foundation, and the Namibia-based African Penguin Conservation Project, among many others. When the center is fully built-out it will be able to perform this invaluable work on a much larger scale. In the meantime, it already has rangers living on the coastal islands where seabird colonies are in a precipitous decline. As Jess puts it, “The fact that we’re already getting rangers out to the islands ASAP means we can rescue sick or injured juveniles and adults to help them survive when they may not, otherwise. This will have a big impact on the population. But it also speeds up the need to fully build the seabird rescue center back on the mainland, which will allow us to rescue eggs and chicks.” Association of Zoos and Aquariums World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)

Fatal Fauna is a masquerade ball and decadent dinner where the main course is... murder! Our first-ever mystery dinner will be, when else? Friday the 13th of September. https://lnkd.in/eDCDenKs The evening kicks off with a masquerade ball, but something goes awry and it’s up to you to solve the mystery! Trade clues with fellow guests, gather information, and work together to catch the masked menace before they slip away.

The people have spoken! We asked you to choose the name of our newest chimpanzee from three possiblities: Astrid, Iris, and Ivy. And the winner is… Ivy. Baby Ivy was born to Rozi (pronounced ROSE-ee) as part of a recommendation by Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival plan. A few weeks after Ivy’s birth, the Zoo’s animal care staff noticed a decline in the infant's health and became concerned that she was not receiving enough of her mother’s milk. The Zoo's veterinarians were able to stabilize her and keepers are pleased with Ivy’s progress. Ivy is still living behind the scenes until she is old enough to be introduced to other members of Maryland Zoo’s chimpanzee troop - a slow process that will take place over the next several months.  Click here for a slide show of Ivy: https://lnkd.in/ewT8TfbA

Our #zookeepers are at the heart of everything we do - from animal well-being on our campus to wildlife conservation actions around the world. This video shows how their professionalism and expertise ensures the animals are healthy, happy, and thriving - from enriching exercises to health checks. The American Association of Zoo Keepers Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Join us at Peabody Heights Brewery for a #sundayfunday on August 4 from 2-6 pm. It's free and open to all! There’ll be crafts for kids, animal trivia, a food truck, a penguin conservation presentation, and special visits by two super swimmers - Baltimore hero, Katie Pumphrey, and an African penguin from our Animal Embassy. You can also enjoy a limited release pale ale. Called Sweet Pea’s Promise, the beer is named for a penguin chick called "Peabody" but known affectionately by her keepers as Sweet Pea. The light, crisp pale ale is low in alcohol (5.0% ABV) and high in summer drinkability. In a nod to one of the penguins’ favorite fish, Sweet Pea’s Promise is made from a new kind of hops, called Anchovy Hops, that infuse the beer with subtle hints of melon, hard candy, and pine. There are also plenty of non-alcoholic options, too!

Each year, The Daily Record compiles a list of people who have made our state a better place. They reserve a special Circle of Influence to honor those who have made the list multiple times. We're proud to share that our President & CEO, Kirby Fowler, was named to the Circle of Influence for a career that is consistently helping Baltimore and Maryland thrive. “The 2024 Influential Marylanders are, quite simply, inspirational. Their hard work and dedication to their fields have changed the landscape of Maryland through their extraordinary efforts,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of The Daily Record. “They make a difference in communities throughout the state every day. The Daily Record congratulates this year’s honorees.” Contratulations to all the exceptional people receiving this honor: https://lnkd.in/gr_4P5gK

The number of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) at our Zoo just grew by one. We're thrilled to announce that chimpanzee, Rozi, gave birth on June 10th. Rozi (pronounced like Rosie) and her infant did well initially, but after a few weeks we noticed a decline in the infant's health and became concerned that she was not receiving enough of her mother’s milk. Our veterinarians stabilized her and keepers have been providing around the clock care behind the scenes until the baby is strong enough to rejoin Rozi and the troop. As for the baby’s name, that's up to you to decide. Look for details about the baby’s progress and the timing of a naming contest at www.MarylandZoo.org and across our social channels. Rozi was approved for breeding by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Program. She is genetically compatible with all three of the Zoo’s breeding males. The identity of the father is awaiting testing. Her infant will join our three other juvenile chimps: Lola, who was born in July 2019 (to Zoo parents Bunny and Jack); Violet was born in December of 2019 (to Zoo parents Raven and Louie); and, Maisie was born in August 2020 (mother is at the Oklahoma Zoo) and came to Maryland Zoo in September of that year. 

From one top institute of learning to another! Loyola Blakefield is supporting Keeper Chats - the best way to learn all about the animals in our care directly from the people who know them best. There are multiple keeper chats each day and, thanks to Loyola Blakefield, they're free with gate admission! Plan your next visit here: https://lnkd.in/e44-b79u

...and, scene! It was a pleasure to be the first #zoo chosen as a filming location by Antiques Roadshow. They took over historic Main Valley for a fun day of taping with 2,200 guests and thousands of unique items for appraisal. We welcomed the chance to show them the important animal wellbeing and conservation work being done at Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facilities. Look for our three episodes during the Roadshow's 2025 season.