North Carolina Zoo Archives | Page 3 of 4

Jan172023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

North Carolina Zoo Mourns Loss of Natalie the Rhino

NC Zoo

Credit: North Carolina Zoo ASHEBORO N.C. -The North Carolina Zoo announced today that Natalie, one of the zoo's southern white rhinoceros, was euthanized on Jan. 10th after a period of declining health. This week, keepers at the North Carolina Zoo are mourning the loss of Natalie, a female southern white rhinoceros who had been at the NC Zoo since 2007. Veterinarian and animal care teams had been treating the 30-year-old, 4,000+ pound, southern white rhinoceros for chronic kidney failure, anemia, and multisystemic disease for the past several months. “Unfortunately, her health was in a steep decline despite treatment efforts, which led to a decrease in quality of life,” said Associate Veterinarian for the North Carolina Zoo, Dr. Tim Georoff. “This week, the animal care an...

Nov12022 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

NC Zoo Offers Free Admission to Veterans for Military Appreciation Week

NC Zoo

ASHEBORO N.C. -The North Carolina Zoo is offering free admission for military personnel and retirees and free admission for one accompanying guest during Military Appreciation week, from Nov. 7th and Nov 13th, 2022. This special discount is available to active duty, reserve, veteran, and retired military personnel from all military branches and is only available for admission purchased on-site. To receive the discount, please bring any of the following: US Veterans IDMilitary IDDD-214 with Photo IDState driver’s license with veteran indicator or military identifierVA, VF, or American Legion issued ID The Zoo hours during this week are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the last admission being an hour before closing. In a press release the Zoo says they "appreciate and salute all m...

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...

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...

Dec142021 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Grizzly Bear Has New Home at North Carolina Zoo

NC Zoo

Photo credit Hannah Tulloch/North Carolina Zoo ASHEBORO N.C. (NC ZOO) —The North Carolina Zoo announces the arrival of its newest resident – a 740-pound male grizzly bear named Ronan. Staff relocated the 9-year-old grizzly from the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona, based on a recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Ronan is settling into his new habitat in the North America continent area of the Zoo. Since this past summer, the grizzly bear habitat has remained empty. That followed the death of Tommo, a beloved grizzly bear who lived at the Zoo for 26 years. Ronan and his twin sister Finley were rescued in 2003 and relocated to the Reid Park Zoo when they were just barely one year old. That decision was made after wildlife officials in Yellowstone dee...

Nov12021 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

NC Zoo Offers Military & Veterans Free Admission For Military Appreciation Week

NC Zoo

Photo provided by North Carolina Zoo ASHEBORO NC – The North Carolina Zoo is offering free admission for the military past and present and discounts for their guests as apart of Military Appreciation Week. All active duty, reserve, veteran, and retired military personnel from all military branches will get free admission as well as $2 off admission for up to six accompanying guests for from November 8 – 14, 2021. The discount is only available for admission purchased on-site and requires proof of service which can include US Military ID, US Veterans ID, a DD214 with a photos ID, a state drivers license with veteran indicator or military identifier, or a VA, VF, or American Legion issued ID With summer hours ended, the Zoo hours during this week are from 9 AM to 4 PM. Last admi...

Sep72021 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Gorillas on the Line, Answer the Call at the North Carolina Zoo

NC Zoo

Asheboro, NC (NC Zoo) –Join the North Carolina Zoo as we celebrate World Gorilla Day (held annually on Sept. 24) on Saturday, Sept. 25 and help save gorillas in the wild. The Zoo is partnering with institutions across the globe as part of Gorillas on the Line…Answer the Call, a cell phone recycling initiative. Bring in an old cell phone, tablet, iPod, MP3 player, or e-reader to the Zoo’s gorilla habitat in Africa on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for recycling and receive a free Gorillas on the Line t-shirt, while supplies last. The Zoo’s gorilla keepers will also be on hand to answer any of your burning questions about gorillas. Gorillas on the Line (GOTL) is a global initiative created by the Gorilla Species Survival Plan through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums...