Lions, crocodiles, mandrills and more: See these animals unique to the Fort Worth Zoo

Fort Worth Star-Telegram
·2 min read

The Fort Worth Zoo continues to charm visitors with its diverse animal collection, from majestic lions to tiny endangered primates. Recent births and new exhibits highlight the zoo’s commitment to conservation and education, while unique animal behaviors during events like the solar eclipse showcase the fascinating world of wildlife.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

The Fort Worth Zoo announced Thursday that a male lion cub named Moja was born Oct. 20.
The Fort Worth Zoo announced Thursday that a male lion cub named Moja was born Oct. 20.

No. 1: It’s a boy! Meet little Moja, the Fort Worth Zoo’s first lion cub birth since 2015.

This little guy was born at Fort Worth Zoo just before Halloween and weighed only 2.7 pounds. He enjoys playing with mom’s tail and looking adorable. | Published January 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Matt Leclercq

Animal trainer Kailee Strain holds Ken the opossum during the grand opening of the new Fort Worth Zoo Exploration & Learning Center on Thursday, May 30, 2024. The center is additional education facility that will expand nature-based learning opportunities for the Fort Worth community.
Animal trainer Kailee Strain holds Ken the opossum during the grand opening of the new Fort Worth Zoo Exploration & Learning Center on Thursday, May 30, 2024. The center is additional education facility that will expand nature-based learning opportunities for the Fort Worth community.

No. 2: Fort Worth Zoo unveils 11,000-square-foot exploration center to foster wildlife education

Zoo staff say the new facility will allow them to serve more children through zoo camps and other programs. Hundreds are on the waiting list each year. | Published May 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Harriet Ramos

The Fort Worth Zoo announced the hatching of two gharial crocodiles on July 24, 2024. This is the second year in a row that eggs from this critically endangered species have hatched at the zoo.
The Fort Worth Zoo announced the hatching of two gharial crocodiles on July 24, 2024. This is the second year in a row that eggs from this critically endangered species have hatched at the zoo.

No. 3: Fort Worth Zoo shares back-to-back birth of endangered species, ‘conservation achievement’

The public can see the hatchlings this coming Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Fort Worth Zoo’s Museum of Living Art. | Published July 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Harriet Ramos

Ruby was born on Jan. 11 at the Fort Worth Zoo, the third mandrill ever born in the history of the zoo.
Ruby was born on Jan. 11 at the Fort Worth Zoo, the third mandrill ever born in the history of the zoo.

No. 4: First since 1995, female mandrill ‘Ruby’ born at Fort Worth Zoo

The baby mandrill was given her colorful moniker as a nod to her mom Scarlett, the zoo said. | Published February 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Nicole Lopez

Dr. Jamie Walker Erwin delivered baby gorilla Jameela by C-section for the Fort Worth Zoo.
Dr. Jamie Walker Erwin delivered baby gorilla Jameela by C-section for the Fort Worth Zoo.

No. 5: Fort Worth Zoo announces rare C-section birth of western lowland gorilla

A Fort Worth OB/GYN helped deliver the infant after the 33-year-old mother started showing signs of preeclampsia. | Published February 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Harriet Ramos

The first sign of movement in the lion exhibit started just before totality of the solar eclipse at the Fort Worth Zoo in Fort Worth, Texas, Monday Apr 08, 2024. The females came out of tall grass and dens to search the area where they are fed. (Special to the Star-Telegram Bob Booth)
The first sign of movement in the lion exhibit started just before totality of the solar eclipse at the Fort Worth Zoo in Fort Worth, Texas, Monday Apr 08, 2024. The females came out of tall grass and dens to search the area where they are fed. (Special to the Star-Telegram Bob Booth)

No. 6: Monkey see, monkey do: Did Fort Worth Zoo animals take eclipse cues from humans?

Here’s what researchers found when they observed animals at Fort Worth Zoo during total solar eclipse. | Published April 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ella Gonzales

J.J. Massey, 8 and his brother James,6, look at the sun before the total solar eclipse at the Fort Worth Zoo in Fort Worth, Texas, Monday Apr 08, 2024.
J.J. Massey, 8 and his brother James,6, look at the sun before the total solar eclipse at the Fort Worth Zoo in Fort Worth, Texas, Monday Apr 08, 2024.

No. 7: How did animals in the Fort Worth Zoo do during total eclipse? Ask the peculiar humans

So, what did researchers find out about zoo animals and the eclipse? | Published April 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ella Gonzales

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.

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