ABQ BioPark Brings in Some New Animals, Helps Others Move to New Homes
November 17 - The ABQ BioPark Zoo recently welcomed three new male Hartmann’s mountain zebra, three species of birds including two African hornbills, a red-legged seriema and a Bali myna, and welcomed back a siamang who was born at the ABQ BioPark.
The incoming zebras include Philipus coming from the Dallas Zoo, as well as Trooper and JB, both coming from an AZA-Accredited institution in Central Florida. The two Von der Decken’s hornbills arrived from the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, NY. Einstein, a male red-legged seriema from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, will be a companion for Brasil, a female in the macaw habitat. The zoo also recently introduced a Bali myna from Zoo Atlanta. Lastly, we welcomed back Eerie, a siamang who was born at the ABQ BioPark in 2016. He has been living at El Paso Zoo for the past couple of years. An opportunity arose to bring him back to the ABQ BioPark, and his animal care team was thrilled to have him return. The zebras and siamang are currently in their public habitats, and the birds will be visible to guests after a short backstage quarantine period.
Kailash, a male snow leopard, Bowie, a cape vulture, and Eerste, a female zebra, recently moved from the ABQ BioPark to other animal care facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), ensuring that they will continue to receive the same high level of animal care that they did at the ABQ BioPark.
“Moves like this are expected, planned and driven by science and data,” said Lynn Tupa, zoo manager. “The whole network of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums work together to do what is best for the animals in our care. They may move for companionship or as part of a plan to help ensure the survival of their species, many of which are threatened or endangered in the wild.”
In addition to being accredited by the AZA for more than 20 years, the ABQ BioPark also recently earned American Humane Certified™ Approval for Exceptional Animal Welfare. This prestigious seal of approval recognizes the BioPark’s excellent treatment of animals and commitment to conservation.
About the ABQ BioPark
The ABQ BioPark is a living environmental park that protects the natural world and connects communities with nature. It is a refuge for thousands of animals and plants cared for by zoological, marine and botanical experts who lead significant science-based conservation work in New Mexico and around the world. The BioPark consists of four distinct areas: ABQ BioPark Aquarium, ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, ABQ BioPark Zoo, and Tingley Beach.