The Zoo

Episode 10: Saturday, May 12, 2018

On the season finale of THE ZOO you met Ernie, one of our silverback gorillas. If you've ever been to the Bronx Zoo, chances are you've spotted him among his troop at Congo Gorilla Forest.

Ernie is a great troop leader and attentive father. He has sired five offspring at “Congo” that are all three- to four-years-old. Make sure to plan a visit to see them all this spring.

Six years ago, Ernie was diagnosed with mild heart disease, which is not uncommon in male gorillas. In this episode, you learned that the disease had progressed, but thanks to the efforts of our keepers and veterinarians his condition is under control and he continues to fulfill his important role in his troop.

Episode 8: Saturday, April 28, 2018

Episode 6: Saturday, April 14, 2018

What's in a name?

Hellbenders have many nicknames, can you spot the imposter in the quiz below?

Episode 4: Saturday, March 31, 2018

Update on Patty’s Tuberculosis Diagnosis

Tuberculosis (TB) was diagnosed in Patty, an Asian elephant at the Bronx Zoo, in 2017 through routine health monitoring. TB is a common disease around the world that most frequently affects people in urban areas like New York City and other major cities, and is an infrequent but known disease in elephants.

Patty’s story was told on the Animal Planet docu-series, THE ZOO, in an episode entitled “An Elephant’s Trust” which premiered March 31, 2018. This episode highlights the expert care given to Patty and the trust and bond between her and her keepers as she receives treatment.

The good news is that Patty, who is about 47 years old, is showing no symptoms of the disease and is accepting treatment well. Months after her diagnosis she is her normal, robust self. TB is curable and we are hopeful Patty’s treatment will be successful. All of the subsequent weekly tests we have done with Patty have showed no presence of the TB bacterium.

Our two other elephants, Happy and Maxine, are tested every three months and have not tested positive for TB.

After Patty’s TB was detected, all staff who had close contact with the zoo’s elephants were tested and no one tested positive, including those who have spent the most time with our elephants.

TB is transmitted by close contact over a long time with an infected person or animal so there is no risk to the visiting public as the elephants can only be viewed from a distance while riding on the monorail. There is no opportunity for direct contact between zoo guests and the elephants. Also, the TB organism cannot survive for long in the open environment and sunlight.

At this time, it is not known how Patty acquired TB. Elephants exposed at a young age can wall off the TB bacterium in their body for decades before becoming ill or testing positive. It’s possible that Patty, who was born in India, contracted the disease there before coming to the Bronx Zoo.

Episode 2: Saturday, March 17, 2018

African-Crested Porcupines

This week you met June Bug and Sneedy, our female and male juvenile African-crested porcupines. We thoroughly enjoyed watching their storyline play out so we checked in with Kathleen LaMattina, Collections Manager of Special Animal Exhibits at the Bronx Zoo, to get a little more information. Take a look at our Q&A below!

Bronx Zoo
How old are June Bug and Sneedy now?
Kathleen LaMattina
Almost 9 months old.

Bronx Zoo
How do they get along with each other?
Kathleen
At this age in the wild brother and sister would no longer be living together. These guys are sexually mature now so they were separated to keep them from breeding.

Bronx Zoo
What are the plans for the duo in the future?
Kathleen
They are going to be awesome animal ambassadors for their species! Animal ambassadors give visitors the chance for up close interactions with animals, which creates an appreciation and concern for animals in the wild. It’s an important role in our work to conserve species around the world.

Bronx Zoo
What is the most common feedback you get from visitors who meet them?
Kathleen
People never think porcupines could be so charismatic. They are very sensitive and intelligent creatures.

Bronx Zoo
If you could let people know one thing about porcupines they may not know already, what would it be?
Kathleen
They don't shoot their quills! When threatened, porcupine quills are raised. Some porcupines will run backwards towards the perceived threat. The quills, which are actually modified hairs, detach easily when contact is made.