Fossa

Baby Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtles

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is pleased to announce that 27 yellow-spotted Amazon River turtles hatched at the zoo between April 5 and April 12. Named for the yellow spots on the side of its head, it is one of the largest river turtles in South America.

"The hatching of these once endangered species is exciting for us, as many of them will enhance the exhibits at other accredited zoos around the country," said Ted Fox, zoo director. "Captive breeding programs are often critical in the survival of a species, and this is a success story we are proud to tell."

The yellow-spotted Amazon River turtle is a vulnerable species, threatened by over hunting, the pet trade and climate change. Aggressive conservation and breeding programs in their native countries is helping to sustain the population, which was once on the endangered species list. Importation of this species is now strictly regulated by federal law but a captive self-sustaining population exists in the United States-some groups in zoos, others in the hands of private collectors. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is one of just 70 institutions world-wide to house yellow-spotted Amazon River turtles.

The baby turtles will be on exhibit at the zoo for a limited time and will eventually be transferred to zoos and aquariums around the country including the National Aquarium, Tennessee Aquarium and the Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero, Calif.

Penguin Chicks

Six penguin chicks hatched at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in 2012. The first chick hatched January 9, months earlier than normal.

"It appears our mild winter weather started the breeding season a bit earlier than usual. It's very exciting to be talking about penguin chicks so early in the year; perhaps it means spring will be arriving soon," said Ted Fox, zoo director. "It's wonderful that our zoo continues to play an important role in conserving this species. Like the chicks before them, many of this year's babies will eventually end up at other zoos around the country to continue populating the species."

Humboldt penguins, named after the Humboldt Current a cold nutrient-rich ocean current that flows along the west coast of South America, are endangered with only 12,000 to 30,000 remaining in the wild.

Baby Patas Monkey

A third patas monkey -- a boy named Ty -- was born to parents, Sara and M.J. at approximately 1:05 p.m. on January 17. In celebration, Friends of the Zoo funded the installation of a web cam for zoo fans to observe the monkeys online. "We know our entire community shares in the joy whenever there is a new baby at the zoo," said Janet Agostini, president of Friends of the Zoo. "Our group of patas monkeys is very active and this web cam will give people the chance to watch them as often as they'd like." "Ty is Sara's first baby," said Ted Fox, director of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. "She has proven to be an excellent mother, no doubt due to the skills she learned by watching and assisting her mother, Addie, care for D.J. and Kibibi over the past year." The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is one of only 15 American zoos to house patas monkeys and has the second largest group in the United States. Patas monkeys are part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP) - a collaborative effort between the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and zoos around the world to help ensure their survival.

Asian Elephants Return

The three elephants temporarily residing at Canada's African Lion Safari have returned to Syracuse.

"Targa, Mali and little Chuck have safely returned to their home here at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo," said Zoo Director Ted Fox. "We are so thankful to our Canadian colleagues for taking such good care of them over the past five years."

The herd was separated in 2006 when zoo officials relocated Targa and her daughter, Mali, to Canada's African Lion Safari due to space constraints. The pair returned earlier in the month, accompanied by Mali's three-year-old son, little Chuck, who was born in Canada.

"The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is internationally known for its elephant program," said County Executive Joanne M. Mahoney. "We've been waiting to share this moment with the community for a long time."

Targa, Mali and little Chuck spent a brief period of time in quarantine upon their return to the zoo. State and federal veterinary teams conducted several medical tests-all of which came back negative-shortly after they arrived in Syracuse.

"Once we were given the 'all clear' from the veterinary staff and because the returning elephants settled in so nicely, we were able to bring the herd together rather quickly," said Fox. "We're so happy to have them home."