Greetings From the Rhino Barn
We’re happy to share that Nia is doing exceptionally well after her procedure this past Thursday. She is enthusiastically engaging with her care team, eagerly munching on her favorite browse,…
Veterinary Care Update: Nia
Can a rhino go to the doctor? Not exactly — but when you’re as special as Nia, the doctors come to you! As you may know, Nia, the black rhino,…
Building Capacity with our Kenyan Partners
By: Katie Shaw, Conservation Social Scientist Samburu, Kenya is a beautiful place, home to several species that are unique to the region. But like many other places, it is experiencing…
Celebrating World African Painted Dog Day
By: Mary Thomas, Coordinator of Conservation Biology Collaboration between partners is essential to making a conservation effort successful, especially when working with highly endangered species, like The Living Desert Zoo…
Happy Birthday, Nia!
On August 20, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens celebrated Nia’s 6th birthday! She received a refreshing watermelon cake — perfect for a summer celebration — as well as some…
Two New Chicks
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is currently celebrating two new additions to one of the world’s most endangered bird species! Born to Bastet (mom) and Ra (dad), two waldrapp…
Spur-winged Lapwing Chicks
The Living Desert is delighted to introduce the newest members of the African aviary —four adorable spur-winged lapwing chicks! Hatched during the week of April 29 to first-time parents, Peeper…
A Bold New Experiment in Social Science Training
Ensuring that Indigenous People and local communities (IPLC) not only participate in conservation but also lead or co-lead these efforts is crucial for ensuring that these projects are desired by local communities and thus more likely to be sustainable. One of the most effective approaches to achieving this is by enabling outside conservationists to engage with, learn from, and understand the needs and desires of these communities through basic training in social science.
Here at The Living Desert, we have been pioneering the training of individuals in conservation social science since 2018, initially prompted by a Fulbright Specialist Program I undertook in India. Over the past six years, we have conducted 27 classes, training over 500 individuals from 34 countries, establishing ourselves as one of the leading providers of conservation social science training globally.
Celebrating Our Golden Girls
Each season of life brings cause for celebration, be it new births, critical milestones, parenthood, or the wisdom and grace of growing old. Just like with humans, an animal’s golden years are something to be cherished and are a cause for celebration here at the Zoo. With the expert care and attention given at The Living Desert, many animals have a longer life expectancy than their counterparts in the wild. While we do celebrate, we also prepare. With these tender golden years also comes a time for preparing for the inevitability of end of life and treasuring the memories and the joy we have experienced in caring for these animals. Wellbeing is always at the heart of our animal care here, ensuring that each animal receives top-notch veterinary care, medical treatments, and nutrition – while still enjoying engaging and enriching experiences.
Here at The Living Desert, we love to celebrate our own “Golden Girls” who are aging gracefully as they help to share the story of their species with guests at the Zoo.
Zoya is a beloved Amur leopard who has lived at The Living Desert for almost 10 years. During that time, her calm and majestic presence has helped to share the story of her species with guests of all ages. At nearly 20.5 years old, Zoya has surpassed both the life expectancy of Amur leopards in the wild (10-15 years) and in human care (15-20 years). She actively participates in training sessions and has learned many behaviors that support her overall health and allow for stress-free healthcare procedures. For example, Zoya is trained to drink on cue, an especially advanced and innovative behavior that is helpful in proactive animal healthcare and wellbeing. During a recent wellness exam, elevated kidney levels were observed, showing advanced renal failure. Zoya’s learned behavior of drinking water on cue – along with having extra water available to her – has helped to increase hydration, which promotes kidney function. The animal care and veterinary teams are closely monitoring her health and discomfort levels, ensuring Zoya’s quality of life is not diminishing. Despite her age and decreasing kidney function, Zoya is very spry and athletic, able to navigate her lush habitat with ease – often jumping up high for a better vantage point. Zoya thoroughly enjoys chewing on her bone and is still eager to engage with guests at the window.