What's New?
(updated March 24, 2008)

Newborn Camel to Make Zoo Debut
(posted March 25, 2008)

A two-humped camel born at the Potter Park Zoo on February 16, 2008, will made her debut appearance this past weekend. The female Bactrian camel, which has yet to be named, can be seen by visitors during regular zoo hours.

"She will be on exhibit daily and is being hand-raised," said Zoo Director Gerry Brady. "Hopefully, with warmer weather approaching, people will come out to see our new addition and welcome her to Potter Park Zoo's family of animals."

The zoo's veterinarian, Dr. Tara Harrison, said, "The baby camel is doing very well and we are monitoring her often. She has a great appetite and is growing as expected." Weighing in at roughly 110 pounds, this is the fourth Bactrian camel born at the zoo. The gestation period for Bactrian camels is 13 ½ months.

Bactrian camels are rare, have two humps compared to the one-humped Dromedary camel and are native to Mongolia, China. The humps are very small for the first several months and grow larger as they fill with fat tissue.

Read What's Been Going on at Potter Park Zoo since the 2007 Ingham County
Millage Passed

Click on the below links
to open PDFs of each page

Page 1 (2.6 MB)

Pages 2 and 3 (4.9 MB)

Page 4 (2.7 MB)

Baby Male Mandrill Born December 8, 2007

The zoo's baby male mandrill, born December 8, 2007, is on exhibit in the Feline/Primate House and is doing well. His mother, Abuuka, a 20 year old mandrill was recommended to breed with our male by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Mandrill Species Survival Program. Abuuka has been here for most of her life, but both she and the breeding male came to Lansing from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, and they are unrelated.

The father arrived at Potter Park Zoo last April 2007. Abuuka arrived in 1989. The mom is raising the baby and she and baby are with the troop. The baby is getting more active and can be seen occasionally on exhibit clinging to his mom.

Mandrill baboons are from Africa. They travel in large troops on the ground and are endangered.

The new baby mandrill does not have a name yet. Perhaps you can be the one to name him! Send your suggested baby name to the zoo at the following address:

Potter Park Zoo
Mandrill Name Contest
1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
Lansing, MI 48912

The winner will receive a free admission pass plus one for his or her guest. Send your names in today! (One name per entry, please.) DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 14, 2008.

AZA Grants Accreditation To The Potter Park Zoo (posted September 25, 2007)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (September 18, 2007) - The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) today announced that the Potter Park Zoo was granted accreditation by AZA's independent Accreditation Commission.

"Only the very best zoos and aquariums can meet tough Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation standards," said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. "The leadership and staff of the [institution] are to be congratulated for the hard work and commitment that they put into the accreditation process."

To be accredited, the Potter Park Zoo underwent a thorough investigation to insure it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards, which include animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process in order to be members of the association, and are required to resubmit to this process every five years.

"Not only does Potter Park Zoo meet or exceed AZA's high standards, but it provides every visitor with a chance to connect to global wildlife conservation, " Maddy added. "Every member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums shares a strong commitment to animal care, professionalism, ethics, conservation, and education. In turn, they enrich the lives of their communities by developing significant wildlife education and conservation programs."

The mission of the AZA Accreditation Commission is to establish, uphold, and raise the highest zoological and aquarium industry standards through self-evaluation, on-site inspection, and peer review. The accreditation process includes a detailed application and a meticulous on-site inspection by a team of trained zoo and aquarium professionals. The inspecting team observes all aspects of the institution's operation in areas such as animal care (including living environment and daily enrichment), keeper training, safety for animals, staff, and visitors, educational programs, conservation efforts, veterinary programs, financial stability, risk management, visitor services, and other areas. The inspection team prepares an extensive written report for the Accreditation Commission. Finally, top officials are interviewed at a formal Commission hearing, after which accreditation is either granted, tabled, or denied. Any institution that is denied may reapply one year after the Commission's decision is made.

Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting an institution dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, the AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, please visit www.aza.org.

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Please contact Gerald Brady , Zoo Director at Potter Park Zoo at 517-230-6555 for additional information about the institution, including special events and activities for visitors and its ongoing commitment to wildlife conservation and science.

July 1, 2007 The City of Lansing Formally Turns over Zoo Operations to Ingham County On July 1 the City of Lansing handed over the Keys to Potter Park and Potter Park Zoo to Ingham County. This was the result of an overwhelming show of support at the polls by voters who decided that they love their zoo and want what is best for it. The County held a very festive celebration that included a bounce house, slide, clown, and face painting for the kids. There was a huge crowd here and the weather was perfect! Happy Faces all around, and here's to the hope o great things to come! Thanks, Ingham County Voters!

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero hands over the Key to the Zoo to Marc Thomas, Chair of the Ingham County Board of Commissioners