The critically endangered addax is one of the rarest large animals at the El Paso Zoo. Currently we have a female and her three-year old offspring that was born here at the Zoo that are now living behind the scenes. We plan to create a special enclosure in the Upper Savannah area for them so…
Month: March 2021
Kitchen Talk: milkweed in the refrigerator
Last week I put a pack of milkweed seeds in my refrigerator. I need to practice what I preach and want to do all I can to help monarch butterflies and other important pollinators with the food plants they need. The Zoo is focused on helping people better understand just how serious the pollinator crisis…
Rotary Club teams up with the Zoo
Last year the Rotary Foundation added a new area of focus in support of its mission around the world: supporting the environment. It’s not just environmental organizations supporting conservation efforts these days, it’s all kinds of groups including churches, businesses and civic groups like Rotary. Here in El Paso the Rotary Club of West El…
Zoo Spotlight: Azure-winged Magpie
Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyana Status: Least concern, numbers increasing Size: Between 12-14 inches in length with a wingspan of 15-16 inches. 2.8-4.1 ounces Habitat: Forests At the Zoo: Asia Forest The Azure-winged Magpie is a member of the crow and jay family (Corvidae). They have a similar shape to the European Magpie, but are more…
Bali Mynahs are being released at West Bali National Park
The Bali Mynah is listed as a critically endangered species where the population up until recently has been rapidly declining. In 2001, the population was at its lowest point with only six individuals. Despite efforts to reintroduce them to the wild almost as soon as they were released they were captured for the illegal pet…
We all loved Juno, RIP dear friend
El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens is saddened to report that one of their Asian elephants, Juno, has lost her battle with breast cancer. Juno was diagnosed with a malignant mass in her right mammary gland in October 2016. Since then, Juno has had six electrochemotherapy sessions under general anesthesia, three of which included…
Glory of the Chihuahuan Desert: Giant Daggers
Last year over 400,000 people visited Big Bend National Park and most missed seeing something truly spectacular, a forest of giant daggers in full bloom. The gravel road to Dagger Flat is definitely off the beaten path, but for those who don’t mind the road conditions and visit at the right time, the rewards of…
Mexican Gray Wolf Numbers Rose to 186 in 2020
The El Paso Zoo has welcomed five new Mexican gray wolves transported from the Phoenix Zoo as part of continued conservation efforts. The new pack’s arrival is part of a cooperative breeding program between the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Mexican Gray Wolf Species Survival Plan and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wolf Recovery…
Jaguar recovery efforts threatened by border wall and habitat loss
June 11 is World Jaguar Day and people celebrating and helping to save this charismatic wild cat have a long and difficult road ahead if conservation efforts in the Southwest will ever see the return of the jaguar to the United States. Jaguars are listed as endangered in both the US and Mexico. In Central…
Discover our new Chihuahuan Desert exhibit
By Rick LoBello, Education Curator Recognized globally as a hotspot for wildlife conservation, the Chihuahuan Desert surrounding El Paso is one of the most biologically diverse eco-regions in North America. Thanks to a City of El Paso bond election, the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens has a new $16M Chihuahuan Desert exhibit that features…
Reduce the Risk
AZA Launches Initiative Aimed at Zoonotic Disease Threats Zoonotic diseases are a threat to human and animal health worldwide, as more than two-thirds of all emerging infectious diseases of humans are zoonotic. To address this crisis, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and its members launched a new initiative. Reduce the Risk: A Crisis in…
El Paso Zoo helps with sea turtle rescue
When the El Paso Zoo received the call from Sea Turtle SAFE, a conservation program sponsored by Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Zoo immediately stepped into action to help with Padre Island sea turtle rescue efforts. Three species including green, loggerhead and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles were rescued as cold temperatures swept though…
Places we love: Franklin Mountains
Here in El Paso one of our greatest natural areas for hiking, camping and picnicking is the Tom Mays unit of Franklin Mountains State Park. For years the Zoo has encouraged our guests to continue their adventure after their visit by exploring the natural world around us at local parks and nature reserves. Franklin Mountains…
Zoo Spotlight: Canyon Treefrog
Canyon Treefrog Dryophytes arenicolor Status: Least Concern Size: 2-2.2” in length Habitat: Shrublands, inland wetlands, rocky areas and mountain peaks. At the Zoo: Reptile House The canyon treefrog requires temporary or permanent pools of water. They live in rocky areas in some of our mountain ranges where they live in isolated populations in northeastern New…
Conservation Education 