Birth of snow leopard cub triplets; new gorilla, rhino calf updates, Asian Highlands & more
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo today announced the birth of three snow leopard cubs to mom, Sombra, and dad, Amga. The cub trio were born on April 22, 2018 and includes two males and one female. This is the second delivery for mom, Sombra, who previously gave birth to Sameera in 2016.
All three cubs were born weighing just over one pound and have been bonding closely with mom behind-the-scenes. Development and bonding will continue before they will be visible to the public in the Primate, Cats & Aquatics building at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Later this summer they will move to the new Asian Highlands habitat that will be home to additional Snow Leopards, Amga and Sameera, as well as an Amur leopard, red pandas and takin, a new species coming to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
Snow leopards are vulnerable due to poaching, prey loss and habitat loss and scientists estimate fewer than 7,000 remain in the remote mountains of central Asia. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is committed to securing a future for snow leopards and has worked with the conservation organization Snow Leopard Trust since 1998.
Gorilla Troop Grows with New Female, Nneka
In early May, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo welcomed Nneka, a 19-year-old female western lowland gorilla, from San Francisco Zoo in California. She is the youngest gorilla in Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s gorilla troop behind females Fredrika (44) and Kebi Moyo (27) and male silverback Mokolo (30). Since her arrival, Nneka has been making great progress socializing with the rest of the troop.
In April, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo modified the indoor gorilla habitat in the Primate, Cats & Aquatics building and guests have a chance to see the new expanded troop now. In early June, guests can observe the troop in a significantly improved outdoor habitat for the troop that is specially designed to provide more vertical and complex space.
Lulu’s Growing Up!
Watch Eastern black rhino calf Lulu and her mom Kibibbi enjoying the warmer weather in the rhino yard in Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s African Savanna. Lulu was born in February 2018 and has been reaching new milestones by the day. She now weighs just over 300 pounds!
Meet 17-foot-tall Bo and Hand-Feed Giraffes at the Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter is open for the season offering guests an opportunity to hand-feed giraffes from a large deck area. New this season is the arrival of the herd’s tallest Masai giraffe, Bo, who came to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo late last year. Visitors can also check-in on young male, Zawadi, who was born in August 2017. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo now has four Masai giraffes.
4-D Theater Now Playing Two Short Films: Thomas & Friends and Shark
Guests visiting Cleveland Metroparks Zoo this summer can take a break from the sun and see one of two short films:
Thomas and Friends Bubbling Boilers or
Shark. Films play from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and rotate every 15 minutes. The 4D Theater, located next to the Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter, offers 12-minute immersive shows that stimulate the senses with stunning 3-D projection and special effects.
When visiting the Zoo, guests can upgrade their experience with the Total Experience Pass powered by Cleveland Public Power (CPP) which allows guests unlimited access to the 4-D Theater, Carousel and Boomerang Train rides, plus a KeyBank ZooKey. Guests save 35% with the Total Experience Pass powered by CPP $9.95/$8.95 members. Show CPP wristband and also save $1 at Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter, Lorikeet Feed and Camel Ride.
Asian Highlands Update
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is putting the finishing touches on the new state-of-the-art Asian Highlands destination area. Asian Highlands is set to open in mid-June and will be home to the Zoo’s Amur and snow leopards, red pandas and takin, a goat-antelope species that will be new to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Asian Highlands will enhance animal habitats as well as create a more engaging guest experience focusing on conservation. Also this summer, KeyBank’s ZooKey will feature a snow leopard to commemorate the opening of Asian Highlands.
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