Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 1d

Magellanic penguins are expert nest builders. They like to return to the same den every year to stay comfortable and snug during breeding season.

Puddin and Lois may be Zoo Boise's best nest couple.

📷: Zookeeper Murphy

Two Magellanic penguins look out from their den.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 2d

Mondays with Jasper are the best!

📷: Chinese red panda in his hammock by zoo chef Brittany

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 4d

Happy Caturday from Revan! 🦁

📷: Male African lion by zoo volunteer Kennedy

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 5d

Smile, it's Friday... and it's Croctober!
Nile crocodiles like Pandora have some of the strongest bites in the animal kingdom, perfect for grabbing and holding onto food. 🐊

📸: ZooTeen Program Assistant Link

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 7d

Our meerkat family has grown: three male pups were born at Zoo Boise this spring. Their names are Bart, Quinn, and Twitch!

You’ll soon be able to see this trio wrestle and play in a brand-new habitat when the renovated Small Animal Kingdom reopens on October 23.

🎥: ZooTeen Ethan

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 7d

Meet great horned owl Bob! 🦉

These carnivores are nicknamed “the tiger of the sky” for their superb hunting skills in the wild.

📷: Zookeeper Murphy

A male great horned owl perches on a tree branch.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 8d

Warthog Makena is enjoying exploring up close and personal in her new Zoo Boise habitat!

🎥: Vet staff Maddie

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 13d

Rise and shine, Fletcher! 🌞

📸: Bat-eared fox by zoo vet staff Maddie

A male bat-eared fox stands in a zoo yard.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 15d

Zebras have excellent hearing and vision. These senses help them detect would-be predators from great distances. A zebra's eyesight is so good that it's thought to be equal to an owl at night.

📷: Grévy’s zebra Hope

Close-up of a female Grévy’s zebra standing in a zoo yard.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 16d

Baboons are skilled climbers and spend time both on the ground and in trees. Their long limbs and dexterous hands make them just as comfortable resting on a branch as they are exploring the ground below.

📷: Female olive baboon Sukari

A female olive baboon sits on a branch in an indoor zoo habitat.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 19d

🌟 Red Panda Spotlight 🌟

Tomorrow is International Red Panda Day! So, let's meet a few of our resident red pandas:

10-year-old male Pumori is known for his eagerness to participate in training with zookeepers.

3-year-old female Stevie is playful and curious. She arrived at Zoo Boise in 2023.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 21d

In other news: Akasha rocks!!

📷: Female Amur tiger

A female Amur tiger lays on a large rock.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 22d

A big happy 10th birthday Tafari! 🦒🎉

Our tallest resident moved to Zoo Boise in 2017 from the Milwaukee County Zoo.

📷: Male giraffe by zoo volunteer Caralea

A male giraffe stands in an outdoor zoo yard.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 22d

What's in a [wrong] name: Sloth bears were originally placed in the sloth family due to their long thick claws, missing front teeth, and ability to hang in trees. But with more study, they were re-classified into the bear family.

📷: Paji by lead zookeeper Taylor S

Close-up of a female sloth bear looking back over her shoulder.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 23d

Monday's mid-morning pick-me-up: Hanging out with red panda Jasper in his indoor dayroom!

A male Styan's red panda leaning on a branch in an indoor zoo habitat.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 26d

Happy sweet 16th birthday to Zoo Farm goat Ross! 🎉🥗

He celebrated with a special salad of apples, lettuce, yam mash, carrots, and edible flowers.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 27d

Hello Claudia! Sarus cranes are known for a lot of impressive traits, including trumpeting calls that can carry for several miles and distinctly striking red-orange eyes. They're also the tallest flying birds!

📷: Sarus crane Claudia by lead zookeeper Taylor S

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 28d

Shout it out: Every Zoo Boise admission and all proceeds from daily animal encounters support the protection of animals in the wild. Your visits have generated more than $4 million for conservation projects all over the globe since 2007.

📷: Olive baboon Quinn by ZooTeen Program Assistant Link

A male olive baboon opens his mouth wide inside a zoo habitat.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · 29d

Twix, a one-year-old male red panda, has arrived for a temporary stay at Zoo Boise. His new home is being readied at another accredited zoo.

This means five red pandas currently call the Virginia R. Bartak Red Panda Passage home!

Twix has a special Boise connection. His dad, Mars, was born here.

A young male Himalayan red panda walks out from behind a fir tree.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · Sep 8

If you missed it, Zoo Boise has another new resident! Warthog Makena recently joined us from the San Antonio Zoo.

She’s already showing off her clever and determined personality, especially during training sessions where she does an excellent job.

📷: Asher Van Dyke

Close-up of a female warthog walking on grass.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · Sep 5

Baby announcement: three meerkats were born at Zoo Boise this spring! They are healthy, energetic, and curious.

Although they aren’t in public view yet, the pups will soon be exploring their new habitat inside the renovated Small Animal Kingdom. It’s slated to open in October!

📸: Zookeeper Brooke

A family of five meerkats - including three newborns - lay in a basket together.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · Sep 4

Giraffe Jabari is entering his senior years. Like humans, animals can face challenges as they age, and our team is dedicated to making sure Jabari continues to thrive!

With guidance from vet advisor Dr. Liza Dadone, our team developed a specialized plan for Jabari.

www.youtube.com/shorts/T3h7k...

Two zookeepers provide care to a male giraffe near a gate in a zoo.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · Sep 3

Good morning, Gloria! It's a cozy start to the day for our female giant anteater.

📷: Zookeeper Elsa

A female giant anteater sleeps on her side in an outdoor zoo habitat.

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · Sep 2

Southern three-banded armadillo Arrow is an extremely fast forager! Watch her go in this time-lapse clip. ⏱️💨

🎥: ZooTeen Ethan

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Zoo Boise @zooboise.bsky.social · Aug 28

🎵 "Come and knock on our door. We've been waiting for you."

📷: Magellanic penguin Lois

A female Magellanic penguin looks outside while standing in the doorway of her nest.

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