The Chattanooga Zoo announces the continued growth of its animal collection and offerings to the community. These recent animal acquisitions have grown the Zoo’s animal ambassador collection, increased involvement in other conservation organizations, and added to the number of the Zoo’s
Species Survival Plans.
Through the Zoo’s partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’s SSP, the Zoo has acquired four individual monkeys of two different species to add to the collection. Zafra is a breeding recommended female pied tamarin for the Zoo’s resident male pied tamarin, Sammy. Zafra is eight-years-old and came from the Cleveland Zoo in Cleveland, Ohio. Pied tamarins are native to
South American rainforests and are considered an endangered species mainly due to deforestation. Forming this breeding pair is an initiative in hopes to progress the pied tamarin population.
In addition to Zafra the female pied tamarin, the Chattanooga Zoo also acquired two young male pied tamarins, Fitzceraldo and Sidenhari. Fitz and Sid came to the Chattanooga Zoo from the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Ill. Shing Li, the François langur, is five-years-old and came from the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Ne. François langurs are also listed as an endangered species. Shing Li will be housed with the Zoo’s resident François langurs, Trieu and Badu, to continue to grow the Zoo's bachelor group. All individual animals must complete their mandatory quarantine time and will soon be seen full time on exhibit.
To develop the Zoo’s animal ambassador program, the Zoo has acquired six domestic chicks that are currently being hand raised and trained to be used in educational offerings and special events. The chicks, named Ace, Queenie, King, Lucky, Shuffle and Cash, are of three different species: Wyandotte, Rhode Island Red, and Dominque. At the appropriate age, these animals will be used in onsite and offsite educational programs and will be exhibited in the Warner Park Petting Zoo. The chicks were named with a casino theme in honor the Zoo's late ambassador chicken, Black Jack.
The Chattanooga Zoo has expanded its reptile collection allowing the Zoo to strengthen its conservation partnerships and grow its conservation initiatives. In partnership with the Turtle Survival Alliance, the Western North Carolina Nature Center, Fort Worth Zoo, and the SSP, the Zoo acquired two female Forsten’s Tortoises, one spotted turtle, and four spider tortoises. All chelonian animals acquired are at endangered status and allow for the Zoo to participate in these specific SPP programs. Currently the spotted turtle can be seen in a brand new exhibit added to the Forest of the World exhibit building. The spider tortoises can be seen in the Gombe Forest exhibit and at the appropriate age and size, the Forsten’s tortoise will be exhibit in the Zoo’s Himalayan passage exhibit.
In addition to the growth of its animal collection, the Chattanooga Zoo has also renovated and expanded its naked mole rat exhibit. The newly renovated exhibit now offers four different viewing windows, a variety of lighting, and a tunnel system for the animals. Naked mole rats lived primarily underground and the new exhibit will allow for this simulation and give guests an up close view.
As the Chattanooga Zoo’s animal collection and staff continues to grow, increased admission pricing beginning June 1 will help offset the additional expenses. Increases will affect regular Zoo admission prices and Zoo Members prices. Regular Zoo admissions will increase by $1. Adults will be $9.95, Children will be $6.95, and seniors will be $7.95. Children 2 and under will remain free of charge. The Chattanooga Zoo will continue its military discount, student discount, and other discounts currently offered.