San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Celebrates Birth of Two Rare Amur Leopards

The Cubs, Born at the San Diego Zoo, Increase Population of the World’s Most Endangered Big Cat Species

SAN DIEGO (March 28, 2023) — A birth of twins is exceptional, no matter the species. However, when those twins are Amur leopards—and fewer than 300 of those big cats are estimated to exist on Earth—the births are especially significant. This week, wildlife care staff at the San Diego Zoo announced the birth of two Amur leopard cubs, increasing this rare cat’s estimated worldwide population by two and furthering the nonprofit conservation organization’s ongoing work to save this vital Asian species.   

A Baby Orangutan's Big Milestone! Happy Birthday, Kaja!

Kaja turned one this month, and his San Diego Zoo wildlife team threw him and his mother a big celebration to mark the occasion. This festive moment is significant, considering the life and death scare that engulfed the pair following his birth last year.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Becomes First Accredited Conservation Organization in North America to Hatch and Raise Endangered Softshell Turtles

New Generation Of Narrow-Headed Turtles Breathes Fresh Life Into Conservation Program To Save This Rare Species

SAN DIEGO (Oct. 3, 2022) – For more than two decades, conservationists from San Diego Wildlife Alliance have been waiting with anticipation as they watched for the slightest signs of breeding from a rare reptile species. This summer, their patience paid off after wildlife care team members at the San Diego Zoo welcomed 41 tiny Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle hatchlings—becoming the first accredited conservation organization in North America to hatch these endangered turtles, and furthering the organization’s ongoing work to save this vital Asian species.

7-month-old Critically Endangered Orangutan Thriving at the San Diego Zoo, Following Mom’s Recovery from Health Complications

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 19, 2022) – On International Orangutan Day (Aug. 19), wildlife care team members at the San Diego Zoo celebrated two of the Zoo’s prominent primate residents: Kaja, a critically endangered Sumatran orangutan infant; and his mother, Indah. Following major health complications that left Indah hospitalized after giving birth, wildlife care specialists jumped in to care for Kaja and help nurture him during the critical early weeks of his life.  Due to quick intervention, both mother and infant are now doing well, and have since been reunited.

San Diego Zoo Welcomes Birth of a Linné’s Two-toed Sloth

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 4, 2022) — The San Diego Zoo has announced the birth of a Linné’s two-toed sloth at the Zoo’s new Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp. The baby sloth, a female, was born June 25 to mother Xena (pronounced Zee-na), who was born at the Zoo in 2013 and is one of the Zoo’s most popular Rady wildlife ambassadors. Wildlife care specialists report that the young sloth is doing well, instinctively clinging to her mother, nursing and gaining strength each day.  

Orangutan Mother, Infant Receive Bonding Time in San Diego Zoo’s Orangutan Outdoor Habitat

Beginning Wednesday, June 30, San Diego Zoo wildlife care specialists are giving Indah and her infant, Kaja, access to the orangutan habitat to help acclimate to the area. The pair have been spending time together in their indoor habitat, but this is the next step in preparing for them to join the troop.

These sessions will begin before the Zoo is open to guests. If Indah and Kaja choose to stay in the habitat after 9 a.m., they may be viewable to guests. Wildlife care specialists will continue to give Indah and Kaja access to the habitat for the next few weeks and will observe their behaviors.

Orangutan birth announcement, Jan. 2022:

https://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2022/01/san-diego-zoo-celebrates-the-birth-of-a-critically-endangered-sumatran-orangutan-infant.html

San Diego Zoo Welcomes an Aardvark Cub

SAN DIEGO (June 14, 2022) – The San Diego Zoo has announced the birth of an aardvark cub—the first be born at the Zoo in more than 35 years. The female cub, yet to be named, was born May 10 to first-time aardvark parents, mother Zola and father Azaan. Wildlife care specialists report the cub is doing well, and Zola is a caring and attentive mother.

Photos taken on June 10, 2022 by Ken Bohn, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

“We are elated to have this little cub in our care,” said Cari Inserra, lead wildlife care specialist, San Diego Zoo. “She is very active, and was using her sharp claws to dig like an adult aardvark, just hours after her birth.”

First Male Golden Takin Born in the Western Hemisphere Receives a Name at the San Diego Zoo

SAN DIEGO (May 20, 2022) – The San Diego Zoo celebrated another milestone as wildlife care staff welcomed the birth of a rare male golden takin—the second of this takin subspecies to be born in the Western Hemisphere and the first male. The takin calf, named Jin Tong (pronounced jean tong), and means Golden boy in Mandarin Chinese, was born on March 21 to mom, Bona. The Zoo’s wildlife care specialists performed a comprehensive first exam and confirmed Jin Tong is doing well and adjusting to life within the herd.

Big Kaja Update!

Big Kaja update: Indah and Kaja's interactions have taken a turn for the better!

Since last Wednesday, Indah has shown no interest in separating from Kaja and they have been together ever since.

She is still not nursing but does allow San Diego Zoo Wildlife Care Specialists to feed him.

Infant Orangutan Kaja Update

Kaja update: Kaja and Indah continue to have “intro” sessions every day under supervision at San Diego Zoo, but there has not been any progression with their bond. The Wildlife Care Specialists will begin introductions with his sibling, Aisha, to assess her capacity as a surrogate. 

Kaja is perfectly healthy and right on track for a nearly 3-month-old orangutan. He has even begun teething which is just as taxing for him as it would be for a human child. Stay tuned for more updates and see Kaja’s previous clips at the links below.