NC Zoo Archives | Page 3 of 7 | Randolph News Now

Aug152023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

NC Zoo Says ‘Opps’ – Corrects Sand Kittens Sex and Name

NC Zoo

One of three Sand Cat kittens born in May of 2023 at the NC Zoo. [Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO N.C. - Apparently, determining the sex of a kitten can be difficult, and the North Carolina Zoo says they "made an oops" when they announced the sexes of their trio of sand Kittens born in May. On June 2nd, 2023, the Zoo anounced the birth of three sand cat kittens. Several weeks later, in a press release, the zoo revealed the sexes of the kittens, one male and two females, as well as an online poll to allow the public to choose names for the tiny desert felines. The public naming poll had more than 15,000 responses with the winning names being chosen as Amira and Cleo for the females, and Jabari for the male. Now, the Zoo says they made an "oops," when they determi...

Aug122023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Summer Underway at NC Zoo

NC Zoo

ASHEBORO N.C. - With Asia not expected to be completed until 2026 it's easy to think there isn't much to do or see at the North Carolina Zoo this summer, but you'd be wrong. From adorable babies, an impressive dog show, and newly renovated habitats, this summer is the perfect time to take a trip to the Zoo. Canine Champions for Conservation Alyssa Buller watches as one of her dogs performs during the Canine Champions for Conservation attraction at the NC Zoo. [Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] Chris Collier and Alyssa Buller will be at the North Carolina Zoo this summer with their highly trained dogs for a show that features jumps, obstacle courses, and other demonstrations. Collier and Buller have performed all over the country, and their dogs have even been featured on sea...

Jul182023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

NC Zoo Working to Secure Funding to Rebuild Aviary

NC Zoo

A sign outside the entrance tells guests the Aviary is closed. [Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO N.C. - The Aviary at the NC Zoo is going to be demolished, but the Zoo is working on securing funds and putting together plans to rebuild. With its ninety-three species of birds, hundreds of tropical plants, and an environment that mimics the tropical rainforest, the Aviary was a guest favorite since it first opened in 1982. In January of 2022, when the Zoo announced the Aviary would be closing due to the threat of Avian Flu, guests expected it would be temporary. Around the same time, a team of engineers was brought in to conduct an inspection of the building and the results were not good. “The Aviary is a very humid environment, it's a very rough environme...

Jun292023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

NC Zoo Asks Public to Vote on Names of Sand Cat Triplets

NC Zoo

Photo provided by North Carolina Zoo ASHEBORO N.C. (NC ZOO) - The North Carolina Zoo is asking the public to vote on the “purr-fect” names for the sand cat kitten triplets born on May 11, 2023. The triplets are two females and one male. People can vote on this online poll from among names chosen by zookeepers. Voting is open now and closes Wednesday, July 5, at 4 p.m. (all EDT). The public can also access the poll through the Zoo's website at nczoo.org. There is no charge to select names. The winning names will be announced on Friday, July 7. Females (top two names given to the female kittens) Cleo (Cleopatra): Iconic Queen of Egypt, Greek name meaning “glory of the father” Amira (“Uh-MEER-uh"): Arabic name meaning “princess” Cyra ("SEER-uh”): Persian ...

Jun222023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

NC Zoo Announces Winning Name for Giraffe Calf

NC Zoo

Photo provided by NC Zoo ASHEBORO N.C. - The North Carolina Zoo has announced the name chosen by the public of the giraffe calf born last month on May 20th. With more than 100,00 total votes the Zoo announced that out of the six choices, the winning name is “Fenn.” The other names offered were, “Nelson,” after Nelson Mandela, “Mosi”, African name used for firstborn son, “Tamu” Swahili for sweet, “Jackson” The calf's dad is named Jack, Son of Jack, and “Bongani” This Zulu name means grateful, thankful. Fenn was chosen after the founders of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Julian, and Stephanie Fennessy. World Giraffe Day is celebrated every year on June 21. Fenn was about six feet tall and 145 pounds when he was born on May 20th of 2023, and is expected to grow to 1...

Jun52023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

June Events in Randolph County

Events

Check out our list of events across Randolph County for June 2023. We will continue to update this page as we add more events. If you are hosting an event, you'd like us to add to our event calendar, don't hesitate to let us know about it. Juneteenth A Juneteenth Memorial will be erected on Thursday, June 15; Friday, June 16; and Monday, June 19, in front of the Historic Randolph County Courthouse. The Memorial honors those individuals in Randolph County who were bought or sold into slavery. Using records from the county’s Register of Deeds as a source, the Memorial will display the names of more than 1,100 people — from infants to the elderly — how much they were bought and sold for or valued as, and the dates of these transactions. The memorial will be up d...

Jun52023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Three Births Announced at NC Zoo

NC Zoo

ASHEBORO N.C. - The North Carolina Zoo has announced the births of a giraffe calf, an infant chimpanzee, and three Sand Cat kittens, all in less than two weeks. Sand Cat Kittens Photo provided by NC Zoo Three sand cat kittens (sexes unknown at this time) were born on May 11. Small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, the kittens were born to first-time mother Sahara, 3, and father Cosmo, 9. This marks the first litter for the sand cat pair. Cosmo previously fathered daughter Layla, now living at the Greensboro Science Center. The mom and triplets are doing well. The trio are beginning to explore their surroundings in the Desert Habitat. Lucky guests may be able to catch a glimpse of them in the coming days. Though they appear adorable with big ears, eyes, and petite...

May242023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

NC Zoo – Baboon Habitat Reopens & New Event Premiers This Weekend

NC Zoo

[Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO N.C. - The Baboons are back with a newly renovated habitat, and this weekend you can check it out yourself along with a brand-new event in 2023. Baboon Habitat Re-Opens In the 45 years the Baboons have been at the Zoo they have become one of the most popular attractions, and the Zoo's troop of twenty-two baboons ranging in age from senior adults to infants, is the largest in the United States (tied with San Diego Zoo). When the Baboons first came to the Zoo in the 19080's, their original habitat, what is now Lemar Island, lasted until 2005 when they were moved to the Africa Pavillion. Old African Pavilion / Acme News Archive In March of 2020, Zoo staff took a final walk through the Africa Pavillion before the iconic building ...

May182023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

SECU Foundation Donates $2 Million to Asia at NC Zoo

NC Zoo

Pat Simmions, Director of the NC Zoo, poses for photos with the leadership of the NC Zoo Society and the SECU Foundation. [Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO N.C. - On May 17th, 2023, the SECU Foundation gifted $2 million to go towards the new Asia expansion currently under construction. Asia, the NC Zoo’s first new continent since North America in 1994, broke ground on August 17th, 2022, after $46 million in funding from the state budget was allocated to the project. Combined with the approximately $28 million raised through donations by the NC Zoo Society’s capital fundraising campaign brings the approximate total for Asia to around $75 million dollars. At a private event held at the newly renovated baboon habitat on May 17th, 2023, the SECU Foundation presented a che...

May92023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

NC Zoo Offering Mother’s Day Discount

NC Zoo

ASHEBORO N.C. - This Sunday, May 14th, is Mother's Day and if you are looking to do something special to do with your mother this weekend, how about a trip to the North Carolina Zoo? The North Carolina Zoo will be offering a $2 discount off the price of admission for Moms with a paying guest on Sunday, May 14th, 2023. Moms simply need to mention the “Mother's Day coupon” at the admissions gate to receive the discount. Mother's Day comes just in time to check out the Kaleidoscope Butterfly Garden. Located in Junction Plaza, the exhibit recently opened for the season. Open to guests every day from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through September, tickets are $3 and can be purchased at the ticket booth near the Junction Tram Stop.