Dads Get Free Zoo Atlanta Admission on Father's Day

Father's Day is Sunday, June 16.

Zoo Atlanta may have something better for dear old Dad than a tie on Father's Day. Here's Zoo Atlanta's Facebook post on its Father's Day offer: But Dad ... wouldn't you rather go to the Zoo? Spend Father's Day at Zoo Atlanta! On Sunday, June 16, 2013, fathers enjoy FREE admission with purchase of any regular-priced child's or adult's general admission ticket. Offer valid only on Sunday, June 16, 2013; not valid with any other discount or promotion.

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Shandy, the Red Panda, is Dead

'Native to Asia from the Himalayas to southern China, red pandas are not related to giant pandas, although they do share a few traits in common.'

GRANT PARK — Shandy, a 12-year-old female red panda, passed during the night on May 13, 2013. She had been a member of the Zoo Atlanta family since October 2008. Shandy had spent the night in the Zoo’s veterinary hospital, where she had been receiving supportive care for a sudden illness detected on May 13. Initial diagnostics and blood work have yet to identify a specific problem. “We had been treating Shandy since the onset of her symptoms yesterday, but unfortunately she passed before we were able to discern the root cause of her illness,” said Hayley Murphy, Director of Veterinary Services. “It’s always disheartening to lose any animal, but Shandy was one-of-a-kind and a special favorite among many of our staff, Members and guests.” …

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Brew at the Zoo Scheduled for May 25

Proceeds from this year’s event will support Zoo Atlanta’s primate collections.

GRANT PARK — Tickets are on sale now for Brew at the Zoo presented by Xfinity and AMC on Saturday, May 25, 2013. The signature Memorial Day weekend festival returns with more brews, more bubbly and more bands for Zoo-goers 21 and up. Tickets include unlimited sampling of a variety of beers and wines, live music and deejays at venues throughout the Zoo, animal encounters, free train and carousel rides and more. Proceeds from this year’s event will support the Zoo’s world-class primate collections. Brew at the Zoo sold out in 2012; advance reservations are strongly encouraged. Tickets are $35 for Zoo Atlanta members and $43 for non-members. VIP tickets are $85 and include a Brew at the Zoo T-shirt; access to the air-conditioned VIP lounge; …

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No Monkey Business with the Great Apes of Zoo Atlanta

One of the popular exhibits at Zoo Atlanta.

GRANT PARK — Next to the Giant Pandas and the Big Cats, the Great Apes are one of Zoo Atlanta's most popular attractions. We caputured a few scene-stealing moments during a recent visit.

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Farasi, African Lion at Zoo Atlanta, Dies

Farasi, born in Kruger National Park in 1990, came to Zoo Atlanta in 2000.

GRANT PARK — Farasi, a 22-year-old male African lion, died May 6, 2013. A beloved resident of Zoo Atlanta for nearly 13 years, Farasi was the oldest male African lion living in the North American population of pedigreed cats managed by the Lion Species Survival Plan. The Animal Management and Veterinary Teams made the difficult decision to euthanize the geriatric cat once it became apparent that age-related complications were compromising his quality of life. “Farasi was a very special member of the Zoo Atlanta family. We’re all saddened by his loss, but we’re fortunate to have shared just a portion of his long and colorful life,” said Dwight Lawson, Zoo Atlanta's deputy director. “The fact that he lived to such an advanced age is …

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Ozzie, The World’s Oldest Living Male Gorilla, Turns 52

Beloved patriarch Ozzie was one of the original pioneers of The Ford African Rain Forest at Zoo Atlanta.

His legacy includes a revolutionary veterinary advancement at the ripe old age of 48 and three generations of descendants over 25 years, and he’s still up for a birthday party. The world’s oldest living male gorilla, Ozzie, turned 52 on April 24, and on Friday, April 26, Zoo Atlanta rolls out the red carpet for a beloved patriarch and pioneer. Ozzie was already well into his golden years by 2009, when he became the first gorilla in the world ever to voluntarily participate in a blood pressure reading using an arm cuff. The accomplishment attracted national attention to the Great Ape Heart Project, a multi-institutional collaboration to identify, treat, and prevent cardiovascular disease in gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees and bonobos. Dr…

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Zoo Atlanta Embarks to Build New Reptile Complex

Plan calls for the replacement of the existing structure.

GRANT PARK — Zoo Atlanta filed a building permit application with city officials as part of its plans to construct a new amphibian and reptile complex. The new structure would replace the 51-year-old World of Reptiles building, the oldest structure at the zoo. "This is an exciting early step in a process to create a state-of-the-art experience showcasing one of the nation’s largest and most diverse collections of reptiles and amphibians from around the world, and it will replace a structure familiar to many Atlantans from childhood," Zoo Atlanta said in a statement. "Logistics and details of the construction process are still being finalized." What Now Atlanta reported Zoo Atlanta's plans call for the construction of a 14,956-square-foot …

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Zoo Atlanta Bids Final Farewell to Moby the Clouded Leopard

Moby was the zoo's solitary clouded leopard and rarely seen by visitors.

Moby, a 16-year-old clouded leopard at Zoo Atlanta, was euthanized Friday following what the zoo described as a "sharp decline in his health and behavior." Moby received treatment for the last several months for his age-related complications, the zoo described in a release. Moby would have been 17 on April 23. He was born in captivity at the Buffalo Zoo and arrived to the Atlanta Zoo from Seneca Park Zoo in June 2004. Because Moby was rarely seen in his Complex Carnivores area, it was a treat for visitors to actually get a glimpse of him. Moby was the zoo's solitary clouded leopard. Clouded Leopards are native to southeast Asia and are classified as vulnerable, but are seeing large declines due to increasing deforestation rates, especially…

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Zoo Atlanta's Lulu Gives Birth to Baby Lowland Gorilla

Lulu’s newborn is the 19th gorilla born at Zoo Atlanta since the opening of The Ford African Rain Forest in 1988.

GRANT PARK — Lulu, a 13-year-old western lowland gorilla at Zoo Atlanta, gave birth to an infant late in the evening on March 14. The newborn is Lulu’s first surviving offspring and the seventh for 23-year-old family leader Taz. Lulu's offspring also is a grandchild of Zoo Atlanta’s most legendary resident, the late Willie B. The newborn appears to be healthy, and Lulu has been observed nursing. Provided the new mother continues to provide appropriate maternal care, the pair may be seen in their outdoor habitat as early as Saturday, March 16. Jennifer Mickelberg, Curator of Primates says zoo officials should know the baby gorilla's sex within the next couple of days. The Animal Management and Veterinary Teams continue to monitor Lulu and …

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Help Wanted

Who's Hiring?: Zoo Atlanta

Zoo to host job fair Jan. 30.

Zoo Atlanta will host a Job Fair for seasonal positions on Wednesday, Jan. 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the zoo, 300 Cherokee Ave. Available positions include: Relevant experience will be preferred for some positions; all Zoo staff are expected to adhere to safety policies and applicable regulations. View open positions or learn more at the zoo's careers page.

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