More Than A ZOO: WINTER

This winter, Living Desert Zoo and Gardens highlighted both milestones and moments of reflection across its conservation work. Guests saw Black Rhinos Nia and Jaali interact as a potential breeding pair. The rhinos support global efforts to protect this critically endangered species. The zoo's veterinary teams also X-ray technology to monitor the health of Cape vultures as part of ongoing avian care. In response to concerns about avian influenza, the zoo also increased monitoring of bird species that could be impacted by bird flu during 2025, emphasizing prevention and early detection. The season was marked by the sad loss of a Mexican wolf, a reminder of the challenges involved in caring for endangered animals, even with expert attention. Alongside these events, Living Desert continued its desert tortoise head-starting program, raising young tortoises in protected conditions before releasing them into the wild to strengthen native desert populations.