Daily Animal Facts

On August 10, 2010, the Aspinall Foundation successfully rescued Beryl, a young female Bornean orangutan, from captivity in Indonesia. Beryl, estimated to be around 3 years old at the time of her rescue, had been illegally kept as a pet. Her rescue was crucial as Bornean orangutans are critically endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. Beryl’s rescue marked the beginning of her journey toward rehabilitation and eventual release back into the wild. As of August 10th 2010, Beryl had lived approximately 1095 days. Her rescue was part of a larger effort, including relocating over 200 orangutans by the Aspinall Foundation over the years, contributing substantially to the species' survival.

On August 9, 2013, Zoo Atlanta celebrated the birth of giant panda twins to mother Lun Lun. This was a monumental occasion for panda conservation, marking only the second time in the United States that giant panda twins had been successfully born and survived. The successful birth and initial survival of the twins greatly boosted efforts to conserve this endangered species.

On August 8, 2013, Bao Bao, a giant panda, was born at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. Her birth was a celebrated event, marking a significant success in giant panda conservation efforts. Before being returned to China on February 21, 2017, Bao Bao spent 1293 days charming the world, contributing to increased awareness and funding for panda conservation.

On August 7, 2002, the Philadelphia Zoo celebrated the one-month birthday of its adorable baby African elephant, "Ajabu". Born on July 7th, Ajabu quickly became a zoo favorite. In his first month, Ajabu had already gained approximately 40 pounds (18 kg) and was learning to use his trunk to drink water and interact with his mother. Ajabu's birth was particularly significant because it contributed to the conservation efforts for this vulnerable species.

On August 6th, 2023, Bonnie, a Bornean orangutan residing at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, celebrated her 50th birthday! This is a significant milestone, considering the average lifespan of Bornean orangutans in captivity is typically between 45 and 55 years. Bonnie has contributed to the orangutan population through her offspring and has been a beloved animal ambassador, promoting conservation efforts. She even enjoys painting with her keepers!

On August 5th, 2006, Gustav, a beloved polar bear at the Gelsenkirchen Zoo in Germany, celebrated his 12th birthday! Gustav has been a vital part of the zoo's successful polar bear breeding program, contributing significantly to the conservation efforts for this vulnerable species. At 12 years old, Gustav had already lived for over 4,383 days, bringing joy to countless visitors and contributing immensely to education and awareness about polar bears and their Arctic habitat.

On August 4, 2008, Tai Shan, the male giant panda at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., celebrated a significant milestone: his 3rd birthday! By this day, Tai Shan had reached approximately 1095 days old, showcasing his healthy development and bringing joy to panda enthusiasts worldwide. He weighed approximately 170 pounds (77kg) by this age, a testament to the Zoo's panda program.