WILDFILE

Welcome to the Pack

Meet Soleil Ellen, a three-year-old female Mexican grey wolf. After giving Soleil Ellen some time alone on habitat, she was introduced slowly to our two males, Paul Newman and Drew Hudson, in mid-March. Since then, the three wolves have been getting to know each other and enjoying their new pack. Currently, there is not a breeding recommendation for our wolves, so the three will live together as companions.

Soleil Ellen, the Mexican Wolf

Rhino Procedure Success

On May 5, an expert team of veterinary and animal care professionals successfully completed a diagnostic exam on Nia, the nearly 5-year-old black rhino. The goal was to learn more about a chronic, intermittent wound in the tissue under her jaw that has been present since before her arrival at The Living Desert in October 2021. This detailed diagnostic exam was required to determine the cause and develop an effective treatment plan. The team is waiting for results from several diagnostic tests and are continuing to flush the wound site daily. Nia will continue a round of long-term antibiotics and the area has been swabbed for another bacterial culture. Nia is doing well and continues to train with her animal care keepers.

Nia

Spring's New Arrivals

Fennec Fox

At the Desert Carnivore Conservation Center (DC3), a behind-the-scenes care facility that focuses on research, breeding, and conservation for small desert carnivores, three fennec fox kits were born in late March. Their birth is the result of a recommendation from the fennec fox Species Survival Plan® (SSP). They recently received their well-baby exam and first round of vaccinations. Living with their parents behind the scenes, everyone is in excellent health. This set of triplets, consisting of three females, is the third litter born at The Living Desert within the last year.

Fennec fox kits during a well-baby exam

Waldrapp Ibis

In late April, three waldrapp ibis chicks joined our flock! Also known as northern bald ibis, these unique birds are endangered with only 200 to 249 estimated mature adults left in the wild, making each birth significant. These births are the result of a recommendation from the northern bald ibis Species Survival Plan® (SSP), helping the sustainability of their species. We look forward to seeing this fuzzy trio mature!

Waldrapp ibis chicks

Chacoan Peccary

The Living Desert welcomed its third litter of Chacoan peccaries on May 9. A recent well-baby exam confirmed one male and two female offspring. These births are the result of a Species Survival Plan® (SSP) recommendation. With less than 3,000 individuals left in their native range and a decreasing population, this species is endangered. Since 1980, the SSP and Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) funded conservation management at Proyecto Tagua in Paraguay are the only efforts protecting the Chacoan peccary in nature and in human care. We are proud to be part of this important program and play a role in preventing species extinction.

Chacoan peccary offspring during a well-baby exam