ABQ BioPark 2024 Year in Review
It’s been a year of great accomplishments, events and recognition for the ABQ BioPark. With thousands of plants and animals in our care, we could not possibly note all of the ways we fostered meaningful connections between people and nature. But, here are some of our most memorable moments from this past year.
Botanic Garden
We partnered with the Center for Plant Conservation to save endangered species. When we think of “endangered species”, we often think only of animals, but plants can be endangered too! The BioPark serves as a refuge for salvaged rare plants and we are continually expanding our plant collections and research capabilities. We currently house 12 rare plant species indigenous to New Mexico, and the institution participates in ongoing collaborations with a variety of partners to engage in plant conservation across the state.
The Botanic Garden stage pavilion was completed, providing a much improved shaded guest area by day, and a better experience for musicians and guests for our summer concert series by night. Also, work has begun on our new garden exhibit, Lebanon and Beyond. This garden will be a tribute to Lebanon's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Earlier in the year, we even made the list for 10 Best Botanical Gardens across the country by USA Today.
Aquarium
The Aquarium’s behind the scenes conservation work continued. The Aquatic Conservation Facility released over 50,000 tagged Rio Grande silvery minnows, a federally endangered species. The BioPark’s Rio Grande silvery minnow program began in 1999 and works to collect eggs from the Rio Grande in the spring, spawns them in its facility, then releases minnows back into the river in the fall. This program, in cooperation with the Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative, has released over 1,000,000 silvery minnows over the years, effectively saving it from extinction.
Many may think aquarium animals may not be very smart and can’t be trained, however, the aquarium’s animal care team knows better and successfully trained a female southern stingray to voluntarily enter a specially ordered stingray stretcher in order to be able to examine and treat her in a safe and less stressful manner. This paves the way for future training and exams for other stingrays.
Zoo
Over at the Zoo, responsible improvements as a result of the voter approved GRT tax continues to improve the wellbeing of both the animals in our care, and the guests who come to experience them. Australian Shores Phase 1 opened this summer, inviting guests to meet some of the birds from down under. In a very proud moment, our Asia exhibit, which opened in October 2023, won an award with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The prestigious award acknowledges excellence in live animal display and exhibit design, honoring the BioPark for its immersive and innovative habitats that promote animal welfare and conservation education.
We welcomed many animals across the BioPark, said goodbye to some other friends:
-Ben the Andean bear joined us in September from Gladys Porter Zoo. This very curious, energetic, and charismatic bear quickly became a favorite among his care team. Even if he does challenge them by always tearing down the trees in his habitat and desiring challenging new forms of enrichment.
-Two Bali Myna chicks were successfully hatched in May. Bali myna are a Critically Endangered species of starling from the island of Bali, a province of Indonesia. It's believed there are only 50-60 mature individuals remaining in the wild, which is actually an improvement from 2001's all-time low of only 6. This breeding success is a valuable contribution to Bali myna conservation.
-Triton, the 4-year-old Malayan tiger made his Albuquerque debut early this year. As part of the species survival plan from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, our female Malayan tiger Arya was introduced to Triton. Having a breeding pair of this critically endangered tiger will be an amazing opportunity to contribute to the conservation of this species.
-Western lowland gorilla Nia Lewa welcomed a baby girl named Gila this summer. It was exciting news for the long term preservation of this critically endangered species. Nia Lewa, 21, had a great role model for maternal behaviors. Samantha the gorilla gave birth to Mashika in August of 2022. Nia Lewa and the rest of the gorilla troop have experience around a little one and easily welcomed the new baby.
Some of our other new 2024 additions:
- Ziggy the flamingo chick
- Makaio and Siena the gibbons
- Chloe the kangaroo joey
- Kookaburras
- Lemon damselfish
- Lionfish
- Little penguins
- Lorikeets
- Frida the ocelot kitten
Finally, as the ABQ BioPark provides whole life care for animals, we sadly had to say goodbye to some beloved friends. Some were at the end of their fulfilling lives, often far exceeding the median life expectancy for their species. Others moved to new homes, as part of AZA’s species survival plan, which manages breeding recommendations to do what is best for the long term survival of a given species. Regardless, here are some of the animals who may no longer be here, but are still in our hearts.
-We were heartbroken to share the news that Tonka, the beloved male orangutan, was compassionately euthanized due to advanced kidney disease. Tonka lived a long and rich life at the BioPark, and at age 44 at his passing, he was the second oldest male Sumatran orangutan in the United States. He was a very special member of our troop and was well known for his massive facial discs and his long locks of hair.
-The zoo lost Legend the roadrunner. We believe he was the oldest living roadrunner in human care throughout the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Roadrunners typically live five to seven years, but Legend lived to the age of 15 and a half. His animal care team referred to him as Legend because it’s estimated that he sired at least 38 offspring, and his genetics are significantly responsible for keeping the active population going. Legend came to the BioPark in 2009 from Oklahoma City Zoo. Though roadrunners are the New Mexico state bird, they also have their own Species Survival Plan.
-We also bid farewell to Chopper the white rhinoceros and Matadi our 42-year-old female gorilla. Chopper came to the BioPark at two weeks old. As a baby he was full of zoomies, his care team had to watch out because he didn’t understand his strength. Chopper moved to another respected facility and Matadi joined a senior troop of gorillas at Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas. At her new home, Matadi was reunited with her half-sister, 45-year-old Kivu.
Some other notable goodbyes:
Excellent care will continue in 2025.
We’re looking forward to an eventful 2025. With many GRT projects still ongoing, we plan to offer new exciting areas to help our guests connect with nature. At the zoo, we expect to open a new alligator snapping turtle habitat and continue improving the Catwalk. The Botanic Garden will see the long-awaited reopening of the Heritage Farm and the creation of a Mexican wolf conservation area. Finally, at the Aquarium we will start construction of the S.H.A.R.C. conservation building. This new behind-the-scenes area at the Aquarium will support critical operations for aquatic animal care. Here, young fish will grow up, sick animals will be nursed back to health, rare corals will be raised, and more. Thank you for being a part of the BioPark story in 2024 and we’re looking forward to connecting to nature with you in 2025!