NC Zoo Archives | Page 5 of 7 | Randolph News Now

Sep212022 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

North Carolina Zoo Loses Rhino Olivia

NC Zoo

Photo provided by NC Zoo ASHEBORO, N.C. (NC ZOO) - Olivia, a southern white rhinoceros who has lived at the North Carolina Zoo for more than 30 years, passed away on September 15. Olivia, 54, had lived at the North Carolina Zoo since 1987 and arrived as a breeding pair with male rhino Stan, although no offspring were born. In later years, Olivia and Stan lived together at the Zoo’s spacious rhino annex (off view from the public) in retirement for several years until Stan died in 2019. Since then, Olivia was reintroduced to the other animals on the Zoo’s 40-acre Watani Grasslands and took on the role of “Great Auntie” to the younger rhinos. Southern white rhinos are the most social of the rhino species and live together in groupings called “crashes.” As one of the oldes...

Aug172022 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

NC Zoo Breaks Ground On Asia Expansion

NC Zoo

ASHEBORO N.C. - The North Carolina Zoo has officially began construction on Asia, the NC Zoo's first new continent since North America in 1994 after a ground-breaking event this morning. The private event was attended by staff at the NC Zoo along with city, county, and state officials and elected representatives, members of the media, and companies and organizations involved with everything from local tourism to construction. "Asia has been a long time coming" said Walker Moffit, North Carolina Zoo Council Chairman and Asheboro Mayor Pro Tempore. Construction on the 10 acers set to become the new continent is expected to take around 3 years, with the goal being to open sometime around the summer or fall of 2026. While its not yet know exactly how many new animals will be coming...

Aug122022 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

North Carolina Zoo Announces Death of Male Lion

NC Zoo

Photo: NC Zoo ASHEBORO N.C. (NC ZOO)- The North Carolina Zoo sadly announces the death of Reilly, a 23-year-old African lion who had been battling renal disease for several years. Reilly was the oldest male lion in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited institution. "He was so tolerant of his rambunctious offspring and was fiercely devoted to his lady lion, Mekita," said Zookeeper Beth Malott, who worked with Reilly for eight years. "Reilly was a one-of-a-kind soul, and his morning roars will be greatly missed." Reilly had been battling renal disease for several years, and with his advanced age and weakened physical state, the animal care team and veterinarians made the heart-wrenching, quality-of-life decision to euthanize him. "Renal disease is not uncommon for a...

Jul222022 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

North Carolina Zoo Announces Record-Breaking 1 Million Visitors

NC Zoo

Credit: NC Zoo ASHEBORO N.C. - Today the North Carolina Zoo announced that they broke their all-time attendance record by welcoming 1 million visitors in the 2021-2022 fiscal year ending June 30. If you counted each visitor that came to the NC Zoo last year, out loud, one visitor per second, with no breaks, it would take you 23 days to count all of the the 1 Million visitors who came to the NC Zoo last fiscal year. That breaks the previous record highest fiscal year attendance of 879,990 set in 2018-2019. "We’re thrilled to welcome so many guests from North Carolina and around the world," Zoo Director Pat Simmons said. Coming soon, even more reasons to visit as the Zoo looks forward to building and opening Asia, its first new continent added to the Zoo since the North America ...

May42022 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

North Carolina Zoo Mourning Death of Chimp Nori

NC Zoo

Credit - NC Zoo ASHEBORO N.C. (NC ZOO) - The North Carolina Zoo sadly announces the death of Nori, an 11-year-old member of the chimpanzee troop who was euthanized on Monday after a period of declining health. Nori, who was born at the Zoo on August 2, 2010, was described by Zoo staff as quirky and full of sass. When Nori was born, keepers immediately noticed that her mother wasn't showing the appropriate maternal care she needed to survive. After observing this for a few days, the animal care team decided to pull her for hand-rearing. Though she was successfully reunited with the other chimps at four months and enjoyed a typical life with the troop, she started showing signs of being disoriented around the age of five. Her clinical signs progressed to include loss of bal...

Apr212022 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

North Carolina Zoo Announces the Permanent Closure of its Aviary Habitat

NC Zoo

ASHEBORO, N.C. (NC ZOO)– Today, the North Carolina Zoo announces the permanent closure of its Aviary Habitat. Built in the early 1980s, the 40-year-old domed structure requires significant repairs due to the effects of high humidity and wet conditions. The difficult decision to close and take down the habitat has been made by Zoo leadership and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. "For 40 years, the Zoo's Aviary offered a special place to connect with nature," said North Carolina Zoo's Director Pat Simmons. "The free-flying birds and tropical plants served as an oasis for many people - guests and staff alike. It was a heart-wrenching decision to close the Aviary; however, safety is our highest priority.” There are 93 birds of 33 species that are in the process ...

Apr122022 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

NC Zoo Announces Special Events For Earth Day

NC Zoo

NC Zoo (Stock Photo) - Scott Pelkey / Acme News Archive ASHEBORO N.C. - April 22nd is Earth Day, and the North Carolina Zoo will be celebrating with special happens across the park. 12:00pm - 4:00pm: Seed Giveaway of North American native flowers at North America & Africa Exists10:00am - 2:00pm: Cup & Bottle Exchange at North America & Africa entrance plazas. Bring an aluminum can or plastic beverage bottle to us for recycling and exchange it for a refillable souvenir water bottle!Kid Zone will have several special activities:Ribbon tree featuring climate change messagesComposting talks & demonstrationsDetails on participating in the City Nature Challenge and the AZA BioBlitzYou can even bring an old electronic device for recycling to support Gorillas on the Line whi...

Jan252022 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

NC Zoo Closes Aviary as Precautionary Measure to Protect Birds

NC Zoo

Acme News Archive ASHEBORO, N.C. (NC ZOO) – With recently confirmed cases of avian flu in wild birds found in eastern North Carolina, the North Carolina Zoo is taking the precautionary measure of closing its Aviary habitat to the public. For birds, Avian flu is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect several species of birds, including domestic poultry and wild birds. This disease, if spread, could have devastating effects on poultry farms (both commercial and backyard flocks) and birds living in zoos and wildlife centers. “Closing the Aviary is a preventive, precautionary measure to protect all our bird species at the Zoo as the disease can spread very quickly and is often fatal to them,” said the Zoo’s Director of Animal Health Dr. Jb Minter. “The disease has so far on...

Jan182022 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

Animals At NC Zoo Get A Snow Day As Zoo Remains Closed

NC Zoo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajGGt4V-iUg ASHEBORO N.C. - The NC Zoo has remained closed since Sunday as crews work to clear roads and walkways of ice and snow. Some of the animals who were able to brave the cold were able to take opportunity to enjoy the snow, including the Red River Hog who came out this morning to find a snowman in the habitat. Payton the Zoo's polar bear also got a chance to get out and play in the snow. Photos provided by the NC Zoo

Jan112022 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

Asheboro Copperheads Announce Major Rebranding

Local

Photo by: Randolph County Area Tourism at Randolph County Tourism Development Authority ASHEBORO N.C. - Asheboro’s hometown Coastal Plain League (CPL) franchise has been the Asheboro Copperheads since 1999, but this year they are re-branding which includes a new name, new colors, new uniforms. The Asheboro Copperheads announced the re-branding this week, Starting immediately the team will be the Asheboro ZooKeepers. The website for the team has already made the switch, including a special site just for announcing the name change.The teams colors which were burnt orange and black are changing to khaki, brown, black, and jungle green. Fans can expect to see the new uniforms at the teams first game on May 25th 2022 when they take on the Fuquay-Varina Twins at a home game at McCrary ...