ZooBorns

Calling All Elephanatics! Berlin's Got Great News!

Berlin's Tierpark has the good word that on May 8th, a male Asian Elephant calf came into the world. The little bull and his 18 year old mother Nova are doing well and the family was presented to the public on on May 10th. This is the second birth for Nova. The yet to be named new arrival is about 35 inches tall and weighs around 225 pounds!

Photo credits: Tierpark Berlin

The major threat facing the endangered Asian Elephant today is the loss  of its habitat Southeast Asian habitat (from India in the west to Borneo in the east) resulting from deforestation. Other causes for their population decline include poaching for ivory, isolation of Elephant populations and Human-Elephant conflict.

Berlin Zoo Welcomes A New Forest Buffalo To Its Herd

Born January 8th, this African Forest Buffalo joined Zoo Berlin's herd to the excitement of zookeepers and visitors alike. The African Forest Buffalo is slightly smaller than its close relative, the Cape Buffalo. Its native habitat is the equatorial forests of Central and West Africa. Forest Buffaloes feed primarily on grasses, twigs and shoots. Their main predators in the wild are Leopards.

Photo credit: Zoo Berlin

Hip Hip Hooray! A Hippo Baby Born at Berlin Zoo

A baby hippo, born at the Berlin Zoo on October 23, has been delighting keepers and guest alike. The as yet unnamed calf remained behind the scenes in the pools for several days to bond with it's mother Nicloe. Then she confidently led the baby to the water in the exhibit, and introduced the little one to the other members of the herd.

This is the third baby for this experienced mom, and the baby's interactions with her siblings and the other adults is wonderful to watch. The wee one made this public debut on Nov. 1. Underwater, they run or walk along the bottom with their ears and nostrils clamped shut by special small muscles. Their heart rate slows, allowing them to stay under for up to 30 minutes, though they commonly come up for air every 6-7 minutes.

Hippopotamus live on both land and water. Their natural habitat is grassland where there is permanent still water that is not too deep. Sadly, this species has been declared endangered because of habitat loss due to man's encroachment, and because they are hunted for meat.

More pics beneath the fold...

Zurich's Youngest Bonobo Seen Snacking

Last week, veteran photographer and ZooBorns contributor A.J. Haverkamp snapped pictures of Likemba, Zoo Berlin's baby Bonobo. Only defined as a separate species in 1929, Bonobos differ from chimps largely for their more peaceful and easy going social dynamics.

Photo Credits: Arjan Haverkamp

Team ZooBorns is off to Houston today for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' annual conference. We'll be posting from the road and we hope to see some of you in the lonestar state!

Tons of Cute: Baby Elephant Born in Berlin

What a year it's been for Pachyderms! Now only one week old, Germany's newest Elephant Calf, Bimas, made his debut appearance Friday at Berlin Zoo. Bimas is the 16th elephant to be born at the Berlin Zoo since 1998, as part of it's successful Asian Elephant breeding and conservation program. You've got to love the scientific name for these guys: "Elephas maximus!"

 

 

 

Many pics and a video are after the jump.

Mini Meerkat Monday

Seems like this little Meerkat baby at Zoo Berlin could use another day of weekend too! Photo by Matt Biddulph.

Berlin's Bashful Black Rhino Stays Close by Mom

Zoo Berlin welcomed a baby Black Rhino Feb. 7. Black rhinos are actually not black at all. The species probably derives its name as a distinction from the white rhino (itself a misnomer) and/or from the dark-colored local soil that often covers its skin after wallowing in mud. The upper lip of the black rhino is adapted for feeding from trees and shrubs and is its best distinguishing characteristic.

 

 

Timur Emek / AFP/Getty Images

Germany's Orangutan Babies Part II: Berlin

The German orangutan boom continues with 10-week-old baby Bulan at the Berlin Zoo. In these first glimpse pictures, five-time mother Bini proudly cradles her new baby boy and, apparently, enjoys munching on some hay. 

 

Photo credits: Michael Kappeler, AFP/Getty Images

Critically endangered on their native Indonesian island of Sumatra, these incredible creatures must be protected. You can help by supporting organizations such as the Sumatran Orangutan Society.

Timid Leopard Cub Debuts at Tierpark Berlin

Thanks to @g_gila for tipping us off on this Snow Leopard Cub introduced at Tierpark Berlin on the 13th of July. Any German translations out there?

Tiny Tapir Born in Berlin

This Tapir was born June 15th at the Berlin Zoo - For an English translation, check out commenter JLT's write-up in the comments.