Animals
From tiny toads to big cats, there are more than 11,000 animals at the Bronx Zoo. Plan a visit to see your favorite member of the animal kingdom and meet some new ones along the way!
New and Notable Animals
Next time you visit, be on the lookout for some NEW faces at the Bronx Zoo, and keep your eye out for some well-known long-term residents whom we like to call our LEGENDS. Bookmark this page, and check back soon for updates!*
Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo Joey
At birth, the Matschie’s tree kangaroo joey was the size of a human thumbnail, but already the baby is poking its head out from mother Polly’s pouch! At around seven months old, it will emerge fully, returning frequently to the pouch to nurse. Most of the newborn’s physical development occurs in the mother’s pouch, giving guests a unique opportunity to observe one of nature’s most intriguing evolutionary adaptations.
- Scientific Name Dendrolagus matschiei
- Born May 2024
- Habitat Name Huon Peninsula of New Guinea
- Conservation Status Endangered
American Bison Calves
This spring, seven bison calves were born at the zoo. The youngsters have orange-red coats, which gives them their nickname, red dogs. At this stage, the moms are very protective of their offspring.
The saving of the American bison from extinction in the early 1900s is one of the U.S.’s most successful conservation stories and the Bronx Zoo played a large part in that.
- Scientific Name Bison bison
- Born April to May 2024
- Habitat Name Were once widespread from Alaska to northern Mexico
- Conservation Status Near Threatened
Western Lowland Gorilla Julia
Western lowland gorilla Julia was born at the LA Zoo and has lived at the Bronx Zoo since 1981. She turns 44 this summer! Her expressive eyes and fluffy hair make her popular with guests. Julia’s two offspring, 17-year-old son Johari and 9-year-old daughter Mjukuu, also live at the zoo’s Congo Gorilla Forest. Julia often sits next to a tree in a nice nest of hay. She’s easy to identify as she’s lighter in color than the other females.
- Scientific Name Gorilla gorilla gorilla
- Born 1980
- Habitat Name Rainforests of central Africa
- Conservation Status Critically Endangered
Snow Leopard Cubs
Our snow leopard cubs have just turned one year old! They are the descendants of a special snow leopard named Leo, who came to the Bronx Zoo in 2006 when he was orphaned and rescued in Pakistan. We were the first zoo in the United States to exhibit these enigmatic cats in 1903. Since then, we have had more snow leopard births—at 80—than any other zoo in North America.
- Scientific Name Panthera uncia
- Born June 2023
- Habitat Name Mountainous regions of central and northern Asia.
- Conservation Status Vulnerable
Did You Know?
Births at the Bronx Zoo are significant as we participate in SSPs (Species Survival Plans) for many species. SSPs are breeding and conservation programs managed cooperatively through the Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA), to ensure the long-term survival of many species.
Warthog Peaches
As a baby, Peaches captivated audiences as one of the stars on Animal Planet’s THE ZOO. Nowadays, he charms guests as an ambassador animal participating in our Wild Encounters program. Warthogs roll in mud to protect their skin against sunburn. His keepers tell us that Peaches loves to roll in the mud just for fun and even makes his own mud wallows! You can meet him in a wild encounter.
- Scientific Name Phacochoerus
- Born 2018
- Habitat Name Sub-Saharan Africa
- Conservation Status Least Concern
Red Panda Cubs Poppy and Sequoia
Western red panda cubs Poppy and Sequoia can be spotted from the Monorail mostly doing what red pandas do best - napping! Red pandas spend much of their day sleeping to conserve energy. Describing the western red panda in 1825, zoologist Frédéric Cuvier said it was the most beautiful animal he had ever seen. Whether sleeping or awake, red pandas are always a joy to observe.
- Scientific Name Ailurus
- Born March 2023
- Habitat Name Western Himalayas
- Conservation Status Endangered
Fly River Turtle Freddie
Freddie is one of our oldest and most beloved residents at the zoo. He came to the Bronx Zoo in 1958, and millions of guests have had the pleasure of meeting him. Fly River turtles are almost entirely aquatic and are the only freshwater turtles to have flippers.
- Scientific Name Carettochelys insculpta
- Born Circa 1957
- Habitat Name Papua New Guinea, northern Australia and southern Indonesia
- Conservation Status Endangered
White-cheeked Gibbon Chi Yu
Female white-cheeked gibbon Chi Yu loves watching visitors! You can sometimes spot her hanging out in the viewing area at the far northern end of the exhibit she shares with fellow gibbon Milton. Males are dark in color, with white cheeks, while females are tan. Chi Yu is especially attracted to guests wearing sparkly earrings, and will often swing by for a closer look.
- Scientific Name Nomascus leucogenys
- Born 2002
- Habitat Name Rainforests of Southeast Asia
- Conservation Status Critically Endangered
Did You Know?
You can meet some of our animals up close through our Wild Encounters programs. Our keepers work with specific species and individuals to give guests the opportunity for unique experiences that help to educate about conservation as well as encourage people to care about the future of wildlife and the places they live.
Chilean Flamingo Mr. 56
At 72 years old, flock star flamingo Mr. 56 is the oldest bird at the Bronx Zoo! Mr. 56 hatched in 1952, and joined our flock in 1990. In the wild, Chilean flamingos have a lifespan of around 45 years. Mr. 56 is one of the oldest Chilean flamingos in the world! He can be identified by band number “56” attached to his left leg, and can generally be found at the front, leading the flock!
- Scientific Name Phoenicopterus
- Born 1952
- Habitat Name Peru, and south along the Andes to Tierra del Fuego
- Conservation Status Near Threatened
Little Blue Penguin
Three little blue penguin chicks hatched at the zoo in March. The chicks were hand-raised by our keepers and guests can now see them on exhibit. Standing at 13 inches tall and 3 lbs. as full-grown adults, these little penguins are the smallest penguin species in the world.
- Scientific Name Eudyptula minor
- Born March 2024
- Habitat Name New Zealand and Australia
- Conservation Status Least Concern
* Thank you for understanding if an animal you are interested in seeing is not available when you visit. Working with animals is unpredictable and we cannot guarantee a specific individual will be on view. A variety of unforeseen conditions can cause an individual animal or group to not be on exhibit.
Get more out of your zoo visit
Become a WCS Member today and begin a year of adventure at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo. Book a Wild Encounter for a personal meeting with your favorite animals and the keepers who care for them.