News Category: Breaking News

In a groundbreaking move for wildlife conservation, San Diego Zoo has welcomed a rare leucistic white giraffe from a Kenyan conservation program. The 18-month-old female, nicknamed “Pearl,” arrived this week after months of international coordination between veterinary teams.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Dr. Lisa Torres, head of ungulate programs at San Diego Zoo. “Leucistic giraffes represent less than 0.1% of the wild population, and ensuring this individual receives world-class care while contributing to genetic research is a privilege.”

Pearl will spend a 90-day quarantine period in the zoo’s specialized holding area before being introduced to the main African savanna exhibit.

ZooTampa’s Manatee Critical Care Center has reached a historic milestone: the admission of its 1,000th manatee patient since the facility opened in 1991. The record-setting manatee — a juvenile male nicknamed “Riptide” — was found entangled in fishing gear near St. Petersburg.

“One thousand manatees represents one thousand chances we gave these animals to live,” said Dr. Angela Green. “We’re proud of every single one of them, and we’re committed to 1,000 more.”

Of the Center’s 1,000 patients, 78% have been successfully treated and returned to the wild.