Sedgwick County Zoo

(WICHITA, Kan.) The Sedgwick County Zoo is the state's most popular attraction. Nearly half a million people cross the gates each year to see lions, bears and now tigers. But what happens if an animal escapes? Will you be safe? We wanted to know. Majola comes across like a laid back lion, content on staying put near Nemesis and their cubs. Most of the time. "Code green. Code green. There is a lion out of it's enclosure," sounds walkie talkies across the park.

The Sedgwick County Zoo is showing off four new babies. The Humboldt Penguin chicks were born about six weeks ago. Click here to see pictures of the baby penguins While they spend most of their time with their mom and dad, zookeepers check on them frequently, weighing them once a week. The chicks are covered with soft gray downy feathers. They will stay inside their nest boxes until their adult feathers grow in. You can see the baby penguins now through the Nest Boxes at the exhibit.

Cooler temperatures may force you bring some of your plants inside, but if indoor space is hard to come by, Sedgwick County Zoo says it will take your extra plants. The zoo uses donated plants in several places including the Jungle, behind The Downing Gorilla Forest and the Koch Orangutan and Chimpanzee Habitat. Other plants might be divided to propagate more plants. Large ficus (fig) trees and hibiscus trees can be used in our winter holding barn for perching birds. You may not see these plants but zoo officials say they are important because they provide an enriching environment for our birds that can’t stay out during the winter months.

Sedgwick County Zoo recognized two volunteers Thursday, Allan Volkmann and Caleb Noller, with the 2011 Volunteer of the Year award. “We love our volunteers,” said Volunteer Director Bridget Landers. “I'm impressed by their dedication and enthusiasm to work together to make the Zoo the best it can be.”  Allan “Al” Volkmann is Sedgwick County Zoo's 2011 Adult Volunteer of the Year. He has given over 400 hours of service in the Amphibians and Reptiles department. Al is a retired science teacher who continues to serve the community through his volunteer work.

He was born a few months ago, but a male okapi calf is now on display at the Sedgwick County Zoo. The zoo says Akia was born on May 30. Because okapi calves cannot regulate their body temperatures, Akia and his mother, Likimi, were kept in a barn to escape the summer heat. Now that the summer heat has passed, the calf is now spending more time outside. You can see the okapi in the Downing Gorilla Forest at the zoo.  

The Sedgwick County Zoo, Westar Energy and the City of Wichita have teamed up to give away free firewood and mulch this winter. The wood is what's left from Westar's tree-trimming efforts and the city's forestry tree pruning and removal operations. The public can pick up free firewood and wood chips in the Sedgwick County Zoo parking log between now and February from 7:00 am and 5:00 pm.  Wood is normally delivered between 3:30 and 4:30 pm. Organizers as that you refrain from using chainsaws, splitters or other mechanical equipment when picking up the wood.

Sedgwick County Zoo regrets to announce that Eugene, a beloved Eastern black rhinoceros, has passed away. Eugene was 32 years old. He came to Sedgwick County Zoo in 1981 from Cincinnati Zoo. Eugenehas fathered many over the years and is survived by three: one each at Kansas City Zoo, St Louis Zoo and Potter Park Zoo in Lansing MI. Eugene is also the grandfather to another at St Louis Zoo. Bibi, our female Eastern black rhinoceros remains in...

Sedgwick County zookeepers welcomed an infant chimpanzee into the world on Friday, July 2, 2010 at 7:13 p.m. The infant's name is Mabusu, which means kisses in Swahili. Mabusu weighs approximately three pounds. Officials say baby and mother, Audra, are doing fine and accepting visitors. A good time to see Mabusu is during the Catch-a-keeper feeding at 1:45 p.m. every day.

A rhino at the Sedgwick County Zoo got a chance to knock down the pins Friday morning to help rhinos in the wild. Saturday, April 9th zookeepers will take part in the Bowl for Rhinos at Northrock Lanes. The event will raise money for saving rhinos and their habitats in the wild. Zoo officials say in 2010 the zoo raised more than $2,000 toward rhino conservation. They say that is enough to help move one wild rhino to a protected area. You can learn more about the event and how you can help by visiting the zoo's website .

Traffic on the northwest side of town could be heavy Saturday morning---which is why the sheriff's office is warning people to take it easy. There are several high profile events going on around the zoo and park.  Drivers are asked to avoid 21st and Zoo Boulevard due to major engagements. Sedgwick County park will host a 5k run, the Sedgwick County Zoo will feature "World Penguin Day" and the Farmer's Market opens at the Sedgwick County extension building. Some that live in the area say it's a busy time but also a fun one. "It will be busy but spring is here and this is the time to get out and moving.

Law enforcement agencies across Kansas will be accepting used or old prescriptions drugs as part of a national initiative. National Drug Take-Back Day, sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, will be held this weekend. The DEA will destroy any expired, unwanted prescriptions or over-the-counter medications. Syringes and injectibles will not be accepted.     Officials said the event aims to prevent drug abuse and is better for the environment. Locations to drop off prescription drugs on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. - Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 W. Zoo Blvd.

Months after being artificially inseminated, one of two Amur Tigers at the Sedgwick County Zoo gives birth. Unfortunately, the cub only lived a day and a half. The cub was born on February 24th and marked the first-ever birth of an Amur Tiger at the Sedgwick County Zoo and the first cub for its mother, Talali. Talali was artificially inseminated back in November. The zoo says the cub appeared vigorous at birth and was being cared for by its mother, but passed away just 36 hours after birth.

The Sedgwick County Zoo hopes to hear the pitter-patter of baby tiger paws. The zoo was chosen to participate in an artificial insemination program for Amur Tigers. See Pictures from the Procedure Tuesday, a team from the Cincinnati Zoo performed laproscopic artificial insemination on both of the Sedgwick County Zoo's female Amur Tigers. Zeya and Talali are both seven years old. They were inseminated using semen from four-year-old Ivan, who also lives at the Sedgwick County Zoo. "They do breed in captivity, but sometimes you have pairs that don't breed very well.  Genetically we want offspring from them but behaviorally they just don't get along very well.  So this is another way we can use artificial insemination to manage populations," said Cincinnati Zoo research director Bill Swanson.

Wichita hits a record high for the month of November.  Friday it was 86 degrees.  Many spent the day outside, enjoying time at the Sedgwick County Zoo and washing cars. While you may not be ready for it to turn cold, others like David Eastwood can't wait.  He owns The Slope, a ski shop on east Central.  "Last season's non existent winter people did not need new ski jackets,  they did not need cold weather jackets.  People thought since Wichita didn't have snow, Colorado didn't.

The Sedgwick County Zoo, Westar Energy and the City of Wichita have teamed up to give away free firewood and mulch this winter. The wood is what's left from Westar's tree-trimming efforts and the city's forestry tree pruning and removal operations. The public can pick up free firewood and wood chips in the Sedgwick County Zoo parking log between now and February from 7:00 am and 5:00 pm.  Wood is normally delivered between 3:30 and 4:30 pm. Organizers as that you refrain from using chainsaws, splitters or other mechanical equipment when picking up the wood.

There's something new to see at the Sedgwick County Zoo, baby red pandas. The two cubs were born in June but their mom has kept a close eye on them.  She's kept them in their nest boxes, so the public rarley saw them. Click Here for Baby Red Panda Photos Their births are a first time occurrence at the zoo. The pandas names are Teja and Pai. The two cubs are now old enough to explore the exhibit on their own.

After months of debate, Sedgwick County Commissioners approved their 2013 budget Wednesday with some notable changes from the initial proposal. The new $408 million budget will eliminate a $9.3 million deficit this year, which will help the county achieve a zero deficit by 2013. County commissioners made millions in cuts to make that happen. They will layoff about 80 people county-wide and reduce salary increase for the remaining employees, going from the original 3% raise to a $2.5% increase.

Sedgwick county leaders get another round of feedback... as they struggle with trying to balance the county budget. Next week commissioners vote on a budget that eliminates a more than nine-million dollar deficit... The proposal lays off some county employees...closes the Judge Riddell Boys Ranch...and cuts funding for county agencies and services...cuts that places like the Sedgwick County Zoo say, they can't absorb. Zoo board president Scott Oaks says, "It doesn't give us any money for upkeep of infrastructure at the zoo. " Infrastructure like the bars that keep the rhinos away from the visitors.

Good news...The Red Cross says this drive exceeded its goal by 54 donors. Well done!     It's a chance to see animals and help people at the same time.  The Red Cross Thursday kicked off its 5th annual 'Red, White & You" blood drive. It runs through Saturday at the Sedgwick County Zoo. Red Cross chapters all over the country have seen a decrease in blood donors recently. That has also been the case here in Kansas. Terri Dunaway tells us, "The last couple of months we've really, really struggled collecting.