Bronx Zoo

We are deeply saddened to share that our Asian elephant, Happy, who lived at the Bronx Zoo for nearly 50 years and was loved by staff and visitors, has been euthanized. This decision was made after a period of hospice care during which veterinary and animal care staff managed Happy’s progressive, age-related health conditions. She was 55 years old. Median life expectancy for female Asian elephants is approximately 45 years in North American zoo facilities.

This difficult decision was made following ongoing assessments of Happy’s condition and quality of life. She died peacefully surrounded by her keepers, curators, and veterinarians who have cared for her; some for more than 30 years. Their longstanding, deep relationships were invaluable to her care throughout her life.

Patty, our other Asian elephant, at 57 years old is doing well. Any future decisions regarding Patty’s care and management will continue to be made based on her individual welfare needs and in alignment with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and other professional standards.

Happy’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of meeting her. She was an incredible ambassador for her species, inspiring millions of visitors to care about Asian elephants and their conservation.

Ding ding! It’s time! Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood at the Bronx Zoo is now open. Drop a 🐯 in the comments if you’re excited to visit!

Spend a grr-ific day at the Bronx Zoo with your family and experience live performances, photo ops, interactive elements, as well as the first-ever life-sized Trolley from Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood! Guests are invited to climb on board, ring the bell, and snap a photo.

Get your tickets today: https://bronxzoo.com/daniel-tiger

📷: WCS Photographer, Terria Clay

Happy World Turtle Day! 🐢 Who recognizes Freddie the Fly River turtle? He’s been at the Bronx Zoo for over 60 years and millions of our guests have had the pleasure of seeing him! Fly River turtles are also known as pig-nosed turtles because of their snout-like noses that allow them to breathe on the surface of the water. The rest of their body remains submerged preventing them from being exposed to predators.

We are pleased to share that the stowaway red fox that was discovered aboard a cargo ship from Southampton, England, is healthy and has completed quarantine. The two-year old, male red fox was successfully treated at the Bronx Zoo for a parasite commonly known as the “French heartworm.”

After his arrival at the zoo, the red fox—now named Basil—underwent a comprehensive veterinary evaluation at the zoo’s Wildlife Health Center where he was diagnosed with the parasite. French heartworm is rarely seen in the United States. It is more commonly associated with wild foxes and domestic dogs in Europe and can cause severe respiratory disease if left untreated. Over the course of approximately one month, Basil received three types of deworming medication as part of a carefully managed treatment plan. Throughout his treatment, Basil showed significant improvement. He gained weight, developed a fuller and shinier coat, and demonstrated strong overall health during follow-up examinations. When Basil arrived at the Bronx Zoo, he weighed 11.2 pounds (5.1 kg). He now weighs 13.7 pounds (6.2 kg), a gain of approximately 2.4 pounds (1.1 kg).

We will assess the most appropriate long-term placement for Basil now that he has completed quarantine. Follow us for more updates about Basil’s rescue and recovery story!

Happy Tree Kangaroo Day! 👀Look at these tree kangaroo photos taken over the years. It’s hard to imagine that our Matschie's tree kangaroo joey was the size of a human thumbnail at birth! Joeys spend the first 10-11 months completing their development inside the mother's pouch before venturing out. Even after being developed enough to leave their mother's pouch, joeys frequently return to nurse, rest, and be carried by mom.

Unlike their ground-dwelling cousins, tree kangaroos are well adapted to their life in the trees. They have strong limbs and a long tail which they press against the branches for balance. Rough pads on their forelimbs and hindlimbs give them a non-slip grip, and long claws help them to hold on.

Celebrate this special day with a visit to JungleWorld to spend time with our Matschie's tree kangaroos.

📸: WCS photographer, Terria Clay

Today is World Bee Day! Celebrated annually on May 20, this important day raises awareness for the vital role bees and pollinators play in ecosystem health and human food security. Some actions you can take to support and celebrate bees include planting flowers, supporting local beekeepers, and reducing pesticide use to help protect these important pollinators.

There’s also still time to join us for our World Bee Day Event, being held today at the zoo. Guest beekeepers and honey sommeliers will be onsite to offer demonstrations and participate in a contest to determine which NYC borough’s honey bees produce the best-tasting honey! This buzz-worthy event is being held from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., and is included free with admission: https://bit.ly/4cStEDc 🐝

Fit an Asian jungle adventure into your Memorial Day weekend plans! Enjoy a wild day out at the Bronx Zoo and swing by JungleWorld to see a Malayan tapir, white-cheeked gibbons, silvered langur monkeys, and so much more!

📷: WCS Photographer, Terria Clay

Spring is here! Get your students out of the classroom to take a self-guided tour of the Bronx Zoo! They can discover the natural world, right on their doorstep, with our exciting exhibits. See and learn about Aldabra tortoises, African pygmy geese, collared lemurs, geladas, and so much more!

Special discounted rates are available for school and camp groups—plan your educational adventure today: https://bit.ly/3ViGyBs

📷: WCS Photographer, Terria Clay