ZooBorns

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.

Panther Cubs!

Panther twins appeared before photographers Tuesday at Germany's Berlin Zoo. The pair, named Sipura and Larisa, were born on April 26th.

(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

 

 

Many more pics below the fold...

Good Luck Charm Piglets Born in Berlin

According to a 16th century German tradition, the birth of this particular breed of pig in mid-winter is great luck for the new year. What better way to ring in '09 than with these "lucky charm" piglets born at the Berlin Zoo.

Big Baby Hippo at the Berlin Zoo

Big babies can be awfully cute, as evidenced by new arrival Paula the baby hippo at Zoo Berlin. Only two weeks old in this series of photos taken on Tuesday, the little girl already weighs 88 lbs! Fully grown, Paula will weigh about two tons.

While somewhat ungainly on land, underwater hippos take on a graceful quality as the water makes them (relatively) light on their toes. Hippos do not in fact swim underwater, but sink to the bottom where they trot along the bed.

More pictures and video below the fold.