News and Stories

Rookie lineup includes cheetahs, gorillas, bonobos and more!

CINCINNATI (April 28, 2016) – Get ready to meet the rookies at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden during the 31st annual Zoo Babies, presented by MainSource Bank.  Throughout May, six-foot-tall pink and blue stork signs will mark the spots where babies can be found at the Zoo.

All eyes are on the cheetah cubs in the Zoo’s nursery this rookie season. The three cubs born prematurely on March 8, 2016, are still receiving critical care but are gaining weight and getting stronger. “The cubs are more mobile and getting more confident on their legs.  They’ve passed the 1 kilogram weight milestone  and are finally ready to be introduced to the older cub,” said Curator of Mammals, Mike Dulaney.  “He’s bigger and more developmentally advanced than the others, so the introduction process will be slow and supervised.” The fourth cheetah cub, born February 25, 2016, in Oregon, came to join the Cincinnati litter after his mom failed to produce enough milk to feed him.

Video of the cheetah cub introduction (4 cubs + Blakely the nursery dog)

Other must-see babies in the rookie lineup include gorillas Elle and Mona, Bo the bonobo, Otto the potto, 275-pound takin calf Dale, alligator newts, walking sticks, giant spiny leaf insects and emperor scorpions. Expect to see expecting signs at the camel exhibit (due any day) and at Giraffe Ridge (due this summer).

Bird fans can look forward to seeing a sea eagle chick, a gouldian finch, a spur winged lapwing, and little penguins (aka fairy or blue penguins), including the famous baby Bowie.  Flamingoes are sitting on eggs in the flamingo yard.

“There’s something irresistible about baby animals, and those adorable faces help us fulfill our mission to inspire people with wildlife.   Our breeding efforts, in cooperation with other Zoos, are key to sustaining a healthy, genetically-diverse animal population and, in some cases, a safeguard against extinction,” said Thane Maynard, Cincinnati Zoo Executive Director.

Bring the special women in your life to see the babies on Mother’s Day! Moms get free admission on Sunday, May 8, courtesy of TriHealth.

Zoo Babies, presented by MainSource Bank, runs throughout May!