Zoo

Via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the National Zoo:

“The start of spring brought a cheetah cub boom to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia, where two large litters were born over the course of a single week. Three-year-old Happy gave birth to five healthy cubs on March 23. Seven-year-old Miti gave birth to seven cubs March 28 — two were visibly smaller and less active at the time of birth and died, which is common in litters this large. Both mothers are reportedly doing well and proving to be attentive to the 10 surviving healthy cubs, which have all been successfully nursing. Each litter includes two male and three female cubs.

“The average litter size is three, so this time we’ve got an incredible pile of cubs,” said Adrienne Crosier, SCBI cheetah biologist and manager of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Cheetah Species Survival Plan (SSP), which matches cheetahs across the population for breeding. “In just one week, we increased the number of cheetahs at SCBI by 50 percent. Each and every cub plays a significant role in improving the health of the population of cheetahs in human care and represents hope for the species overall.” (more…)

Thanks to Nancy for sending pics and the update on the baby sea lion pup:

“I was at the zoo yesterday, and wanted to share these pictures of a new addition to the Sea Lion family. She was so playful, and followed children’s hands along the glass. One person would toss their hat up in the air in front of her, and she would somersault in the water. A lovely addition to the zoo—I encourage everyone to go pay her a visit!”

via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the National Zoo:

“Meet the newest addition to the Small Mammal House: a baby prehensile-tailed porcupine born just this week. You can see him or her (gender to determined soon) on exhibit this weekend!”

Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.

Damn it, even the pandas are making me sad. The Pandas! This is my second farewell to a Giant Panda and it doesn’t get any easier. But if looking at photos of your ex-girlfriends/boyfriends gives you solace:

And no I’m not crying, I’m, God damn it, I am crying.

Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.

Ed. Note: During this time I plan on singing “there’s a tear in my beer” over and over again across the street at Duke’s Counter. I apologize in advance.

From the National Zoo:

“As part of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s cooperative breeding program with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, all cubs born at the Zoo move to China before turning 4 years old to breed with other pandas, helping to keep the population genetically diverse. Learn more about Bao Bao’s trip to China in this FAQ.

Bao Bao will be sent off with a series of celebratory events from Feb. 16 to 20, including 24/7 Bao Bao on Panda Cam 1. Check out the full schedule below for more details. (more…)

Via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

The National Zoo reports just before 5pm:

“Female bobcat Ollie has been found on Zoo property”

Now on to our other national nightmare…

Photo by Jacqueline Conrad, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the Smithsonian’s National Zoo:

“The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s American Trail team is celebrating the arrival of a female gray seal pup, born Jan. 21 at 12:43 a.m. to mother Kara. Keepers are closely monitoring the pup, which appears to be nursing, moving and bonding well with mom. At 33 years old, Kara is the oldest gray seal to give birth in a Zoo. This pup is the third for Kara and 26-year-old father, Gunther.

Animal care staff are cautiously optimistic that the pup will thrive, and Kara is caring for her pup without interference. The pup weighed 37 pounds as of Jan. 24. Around three weeks of age, the pup will wean and shed her white lanugo coat, revealing a gray and mottled pattern similar to that of the adults. Once she is weaned, keepers will slowly introduce the new pup to the other members of the colony. She will join the Zoo’s adult gray seals and two harbor seals, Luke and Squeegee, on exhibit and public view in the spring.”

Photo by Jacqueline Conrad, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.

Like many of you, I am currently fighting a brutal case of inaugural insomnia. Can’t stop thinking. So, it was with great joy that I found Angela’s phenomenal (as always) photos of Bei Bei seemingly fully recovered from emergency surgery. I’d say it has improved my mood 87%. To get back the other 13% – here, again, is the list and interactive map of bars staying open late this week.

Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.

Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.

And if pandas aren’t your thing, I will crack your cold heart with a baby orangutan.

Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.