Daily Animal Facts

On July 6, 2013, Lun Lun, a giant panda at Zoo Atlanta, gave birth to twins! This exciting event marked a significant achievement in panda conservation. The first cub weighed just 132 grams (0.29 lbs). By December 31, 2013, that same cub, named Mei Lan, weighed in at a healthy 11.34 kg (25 lbs)! That means in only 178 days, the little panda cub had gained over 8,500% its original weight.

On July 5th, 1971, Koko, the western lowland gorilla famous for her ability to communicate using sign language, was born at the San Francisco Zoo. When Koko passed away on June 21, 2018, she was a remarkable 46 years, 11 months, and 16 days old. Her longevity, facilitated by dedicated care, significantly surpassed the average lifespan for gorillas in the wild, contributing greatly to our understanding of gorilla intelligence and communication.

On July 4, 1918, Sergeant Stubby, a stray bull terrier mix, was officially decorated for bravery with a Purple Heart by General John J. Pershing during an Independence Day celebration in France. Stubby, who served unofficially with the 102nd Infantry Regiment, 26th Yankee Division, had already saved countless lives by alerting soldiers to incoming gas attacks and finding wounded men on the battlefield. Before his decoration, Stubby served approximately 480 days in the trenches.

On July 3rd, 1957, Ham, a chimpanzee destined for space fame, was born at the Cameroon Bio-Research Center. Just under four years later, on January 31, 1961, Ham bravely ventured into space aboard the Mercury-Redstone 2 mission. By his first birthday in 1958 Ham had already lived roughly 365 days, and was being prepared for a future spaceflight mission!

On July 2, 1761, the world's first veterinary college, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Lyon, opened its doors in Lyon, France. This marked a turning point in animal care, particularly for working animals like dogs. Before this, animal healthcare relied heavily on folklore and tradition. The school's founder, Claude Bourgelat, recognized the need for scientific study of animal anatomy and disease, including that of dogs who often served as guards, hunters, and herders. If we consider that the average lifespan of a working dog in the mid-18th century was approximately 8 years (2920 days), this new institution offered the potential to add significant healthy days to a dog's life, improving their well-being and extending their working years.

On July 1, 2014, the Kenya Wildlife Service successfully translocated 50 elephants to safer habitats, marking a landmark achievement in elephant conservation. This ambitious operation moved the elephants from areas where human-wildlife conflict was high to Tsavo East National Park, offering them increased protection and a more sustainable environment. The operation proved that elephants can be safely translocated over short distances, offering hope for saving this iconic species.

On June 30, 2018, Nonja, a Sumatran orangutan living at Zoo Vienna in Austria, celebrated her 42nd birthday. This was a remarkable achievement, as the median life expectancy for female Sumatran orangutans in captivity is around 28 years. Nonja was born in the wild on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, in 1976 and arrived at the zoo in 1979. Reaching 42 years old marked a significant milestone, highlighting the zoo's successful efforts in orangutan care and contributing to vital ex-situ conservation efforts for this critically endangered species. At 42 years old, Nonja had lived over 15,330 days, filled with enriching experiences and demonstrating the potential lifespan of these intelligent primates under optimal care.