From Watermelon Watch to Welcome Day

When zoo staff learned we were expecting a tapir calf, we knew it was going to be a big moment. Malayan tapirs are Endangered, so news like this naturally attracts a lot of interest. When we shared that a female tapir, Sempurna, had joined our zoo as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan breeding recommendation, people were already invested in her story and curious about what might come next. Then we found out she was pregnant.

Tapirs have a 13.5-month gestation, so once we were ready to share the news publicly, it felt like starting a long countdown. We worked closely with our Animal Care, Health & Welfare team, tracking changes in Sempurna’s behaviour, diet, and habitat as she got closer to giving birth.

Watermelon Watch came out of that. Sempurna looked like she was smuggling a watermelon, and knowing tapir calves are born with a distinctive spotted pattern, it felt like the perfect way to build excitement and keep people following along.

What stood out was how people connected with her. Reading through social media comments, I’d see people tagging their friends, especially other expectant mothers, saying “this is you right now!” There was this shared understanding. People could relate to the waiting, the discomfort, and the anticipation in a very human way.

We were also sharing how her care was evolving behind the scenes, from habitat modifications to adjustments in her diet. We shared ultrasounds and tracked udder development as it happened, giving people a real-time look at the process. Regular spotlights on Sempurna’s gestation gave people a window into the level of care and planning that goes into these moments.

When the calf, Nyawa, was finally born, it was incredibly hard to wait to share the news. And when she stepped onto habitat for the first time, hearing that collective reaction from guests was unforgettable.

For many, this was their first real introduction to tapirs. They’re not a widely recognized species, and it’s common to hear people asking questions. Watermelon Watch created an opportunity to tell that story, to share what makes tapirs unique, and to highlight the conservation challenges they face in the wild.

It also reinforced why people support this work. We saw many comments saying, “this is why I support the zoo.” Seeing the level of care helped make that connection tangible.

Looking back, that’s what made Watermelon Watch so meaningful. It brought people into the process, helped them feel connected to the outcome, and showed how their support plays a role in moments like this.

Even now, as Nyawa grows, people are still following along. That sense of connection hasn’t gone away, and that’s something special to be part of.

A New Chapter for the Troop

The biggest milestone for the gorilla troop in 2025 was the arrival of Johari, a 24-year-old western lowland gorilla recommended to join the troop through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.

What stood out most throughout the introduction process was that Johari never wavered from being a kind and gentle personality. From the beginning, she treated every new introduction with calmness and respect. Everything she did, and continues to do, is thoughtful and allows the troop to continue adjusting to this big social change. We are very lucky to have her with us.

Introductions like this are a process, not an event.

Each step involved evaluating comfort and stress levels, not only for Johari and male silverback Jasiri, but also for the troop members temporarily separated from the family during introductions. It was a balancing act, ensuring new routines and groupings were given time and opportunity to adapt on both sides.

Johari arrived on June 27. After her quarantine period, the first stage began with mesh introductions and opportunities for her to explore the holding and habitat spaces on her own. Because Jasiri would be the first full-contact introduction, the Animal Care, Health & Welfare team started building small routines of separation with him ahead of time, helping reduce stress across the troop.

The first full-contact introduction between Johari and Jasiri took place on July 30. From there, the team worked through different social scenarios over several months, allowing the gorillas to build relationships, establish boundaries, and develop trust. Johari spent time with each individual before the troop gradually came together as a full group of seven.

One moment that stood out involved Okabe, the youngest of the troop. He was immediately drawn to Johari, often playing with her through the mesh while his mother, Yewande, watched closely. Once full-contact introductions began, it took time for Yewande to relax with Okabe approaching Johari.

Throughout it all, Johari continued to do all the right things socially and never overstepped her bounds. Over time, both she and Okabe were given the “green light” to spend more time together without the troop reacting.

Behind the scenes, every stage of the introduction relied on constant communication, changing routines, targeted enrichment, and ongoing observations. Some days meant increasing introductions when things were going well, while others required shorter interactions to keep them positive.

Long days, flexibility, teamwork, and the support behind it all made this progress possible. Watching these relationships take shape has been incredibly rewarding.

Because of donor support, the team was able to dedicate the time, care, and flexibility needed to support each stage of this complex introduction process, helping create the conditions for Johari and the troop to continue building trust together.

More Than Skin Deep

Veterinary care at the zoo ranges from everyday checkups to more complex, long-term cases.

One case that stood out in 2025 was with male polar bear, Siku, who is afflicted by allergy-induced skin disease.

In early 2025, Siku was experiencing significant discomfort. The condition, similar to eczema in people, caused persistent itchiness that led to self-induced skin wounds. Initial treatments, including antihistamine therapy, had little effect.

In March, he was switched to a veterinary medication commonly used in dogs with similar conditions. The change made a noticeable difference, reducing his itchiness and allowing his skin to heal.

With the goal of better understanding his condition, Siku was anaesthetized on May 30 for a comprehensive exam and allergy testing with a consulting veterinary dermatologist. During the procedure, a large patch of fur was shaved and 56 different allergens were administered into the skin at specific sites. Overall, Siku was found to be in good health, but the testing revealed a range of allergies, including dust and storage mites, grasses and weeds, alfalfa, and a yeast known as Malassezia.

From there, his care became more targeted. Alongside his ongoing medication, he began daily sublingual immunotherapy delivered in a small amount of seal oil. This involves administering micro-doses of these allergens over time to build up his tolerance.

Siku remained stable through much of the year. In November, he experienced another allergic flare-up which required additional treatments and, on the advice of the consulting veterinary dermatologist, a shift to a different medication. This change resulted in greater control of his condition.

Allergy-induced skin disease can have wide-ranging impacts on an animal’s health and wellbeing. It can be painful, disrupt sleep, and lead to secondary infections, sometimes changing behaviour in noticeable ways. Managing it requires ongoing attention and adjustment.

Siku’s care reflects the complexity of managing the health and wellbeing of animals in our care, from ongoing monitoring and adapting treatments to working with veterinary specialists when new insight is needed. It requires coordination across teams and a shared understanding of how small changes can affect the whole.

It’s a collective effort, supported by the people, expertise, and resources behind the scenes that make this level of care possible.

Growing the Next Generation

One of the things I love about camp is that it’s a human story.

Impact can be hard to describe. You can talk about programs and outcomes, but it doesn’t always feel tangible. Camp is different. You can walk through the zoo and actually see it — kids in their burgundy hats, laughing, learning, asking questions. In 2025, more than 1,400 kids took part in camp programs across the zoo.

You’re seeing young people who care about the natural world, who are curious, who are hungry to learn, but who are also just having a great time at the zoo. That’s the immediate impact. But what’s just as important is what happens later.

Camp is an investment. You’re planting a seed. Years from now, that connection to nature stays with them. They become people who care, who advocate, who make choices that support wildlife and wild places. That’s the long-term impact.

The impact is immediate, and it stays with them long after camp ends, made possible by the support behind programs like this.

What makes our programs unique is how immersive they are. Over a full week, kids aren’t just visiting the zoo — they’re part of a shared experience. They build relationships with staff, volunteers, and each other. They follow a story, explore ideas, and see how everything connects.

And in some cases, they leave something behind.

This year, one of our teen groups worked with the Horticulture team to plant native species on zoo grounds. Some of those participants have been coming here since they were very young, and now they’re contributing to something lasting.

This kind of experience matters. It builds confidence and shows them their actions can shape the spaces around them. The next time they visit, they won’t just see a garden, they’ll see something they helped create.

We also see it in the way people come back. Staff who were once campers. Parents who attended camp now bringing their own kids. It becomes a lifelong relationship, not just with the zoo, but with the natural world.

Time spent in nature, learning together, and being part of a community matters. It builds confidence and helps young people see themselves as someone who can make a difference.

And the conversations that start here don’t stay here. They continue at home, at school, and with friends.

That’s where real change begins.

You can see it in the kids walking through the zoo today, and you can trust that it will continue

Tiny Arrivals, Big Impact.

In 2025, new life was welcomed both here at the zoo and through our conservation programs around the world.

From 21 births and hatches on zoo grounds to 1,661 through Wilder Institute conservation programs, each one represents a step forward for species survival.

From first breaths to first steps, these moments are more than milestones. They are signs of progress, care, and hope for the future.

Tag: On The Ground