The Honolulu Zoo

02/01/2021

Today is #internationalzebraday and the perfect time to learn some fun facts about these black and white mammals! Did you know there are three species of zebra: the Grevy’s, Mountain and Plains zebra, with the Plains zebra being the most common throughout sub-Saharan Africa and Grevy’s being the most vulnerable with only an estimated 3,000 individuals left in the wild. Plains zebra, like our male zebra at the Honolulu Zoo Mr. Z, on average are smaller and have a broad stripe pattern that extends to their belly and a stripe that runs down the center of the back. Though all Plains zebra have similar patterns every zebra has their own unique pattern similar to our fingerprints.
📷: @shoji_sakakibara
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#zebra #plainszebra #didyouknow #mammal #wildlife #wildlifephotography #blackandwhitephotography #zoo #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety @hzs_education #honolulu #hawaii #🦓❤️

01/31/2021

There is some great news and strides being made for wildlife and wild places. The Honolulu Zoo is joining with other zoos and aquariums nationwide in applauding the announcement of a new national goal to protect at least 30% of U.S. lands and oceans by 2030. Let us do our part to #bethechange in protecting the environment by support conservation efforts in our backyards and globally! #protect30x30
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#protectwildlife #protectwildplaces #wildlife #nature #animals #floraandfauna #forest #oceans #zoos #aquariums #💚 #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety Honolulu Zoo Society Education Department #honolulu #hawaii

01/30/2021

Honolulu Zoo Society Education Department

With a memory that can span decades and seemingly ageless bodies, there is more to these titanic tortoises than meets the eye! Learn more about the Honolulu Zoo’s amazing Galapagos tortoises on this episode of Zoo Niele!

#zooniele Honolulu Zoo Society Education Department #education #conservationeducation #galapagostortoise #honoluluzoo #hawaii

With a memory that can span decades and seemingly ageless bodies, there is more to these titanic tortoises than meets the eye! 🐢

01/29/2021

There is nothing like a new skin to make you feel so fresh and handsome! George our Burmese python recently went through a full skin shed from the tip of his tail to the skin covering his eyes.  Come say hi to George on your next visit to the Ectotherm Complex at @thehonoluluzoo !
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#burmesepython #python #snake #🐍 #snakeshed #georgethesnake #wildlife #animals #zoo #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety @hzs_education #honolulu #waikiki #oahu #hawaii

01/28/2021

Birthday celebrations should last at least a weeklong, so we continued to celebrate Rusti our male orangutan’s 41st birthday TODAY with a fun, enrichment filled birthday party!! Wrapped boxes, yummy food goodies, puzzle feeders and even party hats were placed throughout his exhibit for him to discover and enjoy!
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#happyweeklongbirthday #happybirthdayrusti #rustitheorangutan #happyanimals #animalenrichment #41stbirthday #celebrate #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety Honolulu Zoo Society Education Department Orangutan Foundation International #honolulu #hawaii 🦧❤️🎁

01/27/2021

Quando, a Linne’s two-toed sloth, sends you all a sleepy #tonguesouttuesday on this rainy day in Hawaii nei.
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#tonguesout #tuesday #tuesdayvibes #rainyday #sleepysloth #linnestwotoedsloth #sloth #🦥 #rainydayinhawaiinei☔️ #animals #zoo #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety @hzs_education #honolulu #waikiki #oahu #hawaii

01/26/2021

The biggest Happy Birthday to our larger then life ball of red hair, always smiling at his keepers, loves to make and give gifts just as much as get them, most amazing male orangutan Rusti on his 41st birthday!! To week long celebrations and all your favorite treats. 🎁
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#birthdayboy #happybirthday #41stbirthday #rustitheorangutan #orangutan #greatapes #animals #wildlife Orangutan Foundation International #honoluluzoo #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety Honolulu Zoo Society Education Department #honolulu #hawaii 🎁🎉❤️🦧

01/25/2021

The Black-crowned night heron is native throughout North America in a variety of habitats from fresh to saltwater wetlands and are the most widespread of the heron species. They are opportunistic feeders and are known for “still fishing” or standing very still for long periods of time in shallow water in search of prey. They are named Night herons for their habit of feeding between evening and early morning. You can find many of them flying in and out of the zoo, gathering socially near any open waterway. Night herons are native to the Hawaiian islands and are referred to as ‘Auku’u.
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#aukuu #blackcrownednightheron #heron #nativebirdsofhawaii #birds #reflections #waterways #wildlife #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety @hzs_education #honolulu #waikiki #oahu #hawaii #🌈

01/24/2021

What sustainable practices have you started in the new year? The Honolulu Zoo’s horticulturist Sebastian is on a mission to encourage sustainability and create something for generations to come by cultivating green spaces. “I’m trying to grow a forest. I want someone 200, 300 years from now to see these saplings that have grown to become a forest and think wow, what insight someone had to plant these here to invest in the future.” He wants us to remember that even though planting a sapling today will take time to produce a full grown tree, it’s so worth nurturing something now that will have a positive impact on future generations.
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#newyearsresolutions #greeninitiative #greenspaces #plantatree #forfuturegenerations #growaforest💚🌳 #greenthumb #horticulture #zoo #wildlife #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety @hzs_education #honolulu #hawaii

01/23/2021

For #nationalansweryourcatsquestionsday here is our male lion Ekundu roaring it up!  Lions can vocalize in a variety of purrs, grunts, hums, meows, roars, and moans.  What do you think Ekundu here is saying with his mighty roar?
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#cats #bigcats #lions #lionsroar #animalvocalization #ekundu #🦁 #wildlife #animals #zoo #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety @hzs_education #honolulu #waikiki #oahu #hawaii

01/22/2021

Let’s kick off the celebration of our favorite male orangutan Rusti’s upcoming birthday with a #throwbackthursday ! We were gifted this amazing black and white photo with the note “Rusti as a baby”. Who would have guessed how incredibly handsome this little Rusti would grow to become?!
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#throwback #memories #rustitheorangutan #babyboy #almosthisbirthday #blackandwhitephotography #animalphotography #orangutans #greatapes #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety Honolulu Zoo Society Education Department #honolulu #hawaii

01/21/2021

Today is #penguinawarenessday so let’s get to know more about 6 of our favorite underwater feathered friends Max, Avery, Beazle, Elrond, Huey and Maxwell.
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At @thehonoluluzoo we have 6 African Blackfooted or Jackass penguins. This species of penguin is native to the coastal areas of South Africa and neighboring Namibia and have been given their fun nickname of Jackass penguin for their unique donkey like vocalizations.
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These hardy birds can hold their breath underwater for 2.5 minutes and dive to depths of 50-75 feet in search of food like small anchovies, sardines, and squid. In the wild African penguins are facing considerable threats to their survival from climate change, overfishing and pollution.
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At the Honolulu Zoo we work with and support Sanccob Saves Seabirds in their efforts to reverse the decline of seabird populations in South Africa through rescue, rehabilitation, and release. To learn more about SANCCOB and their efforts to support seabirds like the African penguin in the wild please visit www.sanccob.co.za .
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#penguins #seabirds #africanbirds #seabirdconservation #animalconservation #conservation #savethespecies #zoo #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety Honolulu Zoo Society Education Department #honolulu #hawaii #🐧

01/20/2021

In these ever changing times it’s important to stick together. Take it from our chimpanzee relatives, ohana is everything.
📷: @shoji_sakakibara
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#ohana #family #familyiseverything #chimpanzee #chimpanzeetroop #sticktogether #greatapes #apes #animals #wildlife #wildlifephotography #zoo #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety @hzs_education #honolulu #waikiki #oahu #hawaii

01/19/2021

Rainy days are for rain drops on cheetah whiskers.
📷: Keeper Sam
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#rainydays #keepercam #cheetah #closeup #raindrops💧 #bigcats #africancats #africansavanna #wildlife #animals #zoo #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety @hzs_education #honolulu #hawaii

01/18/2021

It has been a cloudy but cool and comfortable Sunday at @thehonoluluzoo . Make sure and grab your favorite animal inspired rain gear this coming week when visiting us at the zoo! 
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#sunday #rainyday #relaxingsunday #rainpuddles #raingear #visitthezoo #zoo #animals #wildlife #conservation #education #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety @hzs_education #honolulu #hawaii

01/17/2021

For #appreciateadragonday lets get to know some fun facts about Komodo dragons and what qualities our three dragon residents have that keeper staff at @thehonoluluzoo appreciate so much! Did you know that before western scientists knew about these larger than life reptiles natives to Komodo Island gave the Komodo dragon a different name of ora, or “land crocodile”. Though not related to a crocodile or even a real-life dragon, Komodo dragons are the largest lizard on Earth growing up to 10 feet long and weighing in at up to 150 pounds. There have even been myths by sailors traveling around these Indonesian Islands that a large dragon like creature, looked to be breathing fire, as their brightly colored forked tongues flicked in and out of their mouths.
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Keeper staff who have worked with our three dragons: Doc, Boris and Rose, for many years have been most appreciative of our dragon’s intelligence, beauty and opportunity to form trusting bonds with these individuals where they don’t have to worry about being seen as a potential snack!
📷: @shoji_sakakibara
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#komododragon #largestlizard #monitorlizard #reptile #forkedtongue #oralizard #komodoisland Komodo Survival Program #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety Honolulu Zoo Society Education Department #honolulu #hawaii

01/16/2021

The Savanna aviary is open! Come and visit a variety of African bird species in our walk-through aviary. Modifications to the main entry have been made to help ensure low touch points for visitors entering and exiting
this pleasant, cool and refreshing space. Please kokua by making sure doors are closed behind you to maintain the safety of the flighted birds such as a hamerkop, wood hoopoes, starlings, and turacos.  See you at the zoo!
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#africanaviary #wereopen #africanbirds #birds #greenwoodhoopoe #redandyellowbarbet #speckledmousebird #helmetedguineafowl #redbilledhornbill #rosybillpochard #ringedteal #commonpintail #whiteheadedbuffaloweaver #redcheekedcordonbleu #pintailedwhydah #violetbackedstarling #yellowcrownedbishop #orangcheekedwaxbill #capethickknee #blacksmithplover #hoodedvulture #superbstarling #hamerkop #redcrestedturaco #greyheadedlovebird #wildlife #zoo #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #hawaii

01/15/2021

Animals have so many interesting characteristics to their fur, feathers, and scales to help them either blend in or stand out in their natural environment.  What are some of your favorite animal inspired patterns in the animal kingdom?
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#animalpatterns #dresslikeyourfavoriteanimal #scales #feathers #fur #camoflauge #patternsinnature #greeniguana #cheetah #japanesegiantsalamander #giraffe #reticulatedgiraffe #turaco #animals #wildlife #zoo #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety @hzs_education #honolulu #waikiki #oahu #hawaii

01/14/2021

Happy birthday to our sassy, food motivated, hole digging, give me something fun to shred, goof ball Po on her 4th birthday!! May you enjoy all your favorite treats and birthday party celebrations with your keeper staff and roommate Grunt!
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#birthday #birthdaygirl #happybirthday #happy4thbirthday #birthdayporcupine #africancrestedporcupine #africanmammals #mammals #birthdayparty #animals #zoos #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety @hzs_education #honolulu #waikiki #oahu #hawaii

01/13/2021

Happy #tonguesouttuesday from our sassy older lady Japan the white handed or lar gibbon. You can find Japan on the first of our primate islands swinging effortlessly, checking out the fish and turtles swimming in the pool, and joining her fellow primate neighbors in song.
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#tuesday #👅tuesday #tuesdayvibes #gibbon #largibbon #whitehandedgibbon #lesserape #ape #primate #wildlife #animals #zoos #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety @hzs_education #honolulu #waikiki #oahu #hawaii

01/12/2021

Our female Indian elephant Vaigai is here to inspire you to stretch your body and your mind this #motivationmonday ! Elephants are extremely intelligent animals and are great problem solvers. Vaigai has learned to bring her boomer ball or log to different points of the exhibit to use as a step stool. Those items give her the little extra height she needs to reach trees on the other side for some delicious snacks!
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#mondays #motivation #stretchyourbodyandmind #stretchyourmind #toolusers #smartanimals #indianelephant #elephants #🐘 #wildlife #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoo #honolulu #waikiki #hawaii

01/11/2021

It’s a hakuna matata, no worries and relaxing Sunday, here at the Honolulu Zoo with warthog Pua!
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#sunday #relaxingsunday #hakunamatata #noworries #relaxing #warthogs #mammals #wildlife #animals #zoos #honoluluzoo #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety @hzs_education #honolulu #waikiki #oahu #hawaii

01/10/2021

Saturday’s are for the scarlet macaws! Scarlet macaws are one of the most beautiful and colorful members of the parrot family with their white face and brightly colored body of red, green, blue, and yellow. They are found in neotropical habitats of Central and South America from Mexico to Amazonian Peru. Scarlets are highly intelligent and curious animals utilizing tools, showing great dexterity with their feet and beaks, and being able to mimic sounds.
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When next at The Honolulu Zoo stroll down the parrot row to say hi to our two scarlet macaws Festus and Big Head!
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#saturday #scarletmacaw #parrots #neotropicalbirds #birds #saturdayvibes #colorfulbirds #parrotrow #wildlife #animals #zoo #honoluluzoo #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety Honolulu Zoo Society Education Department #honolulu #hawaii

01/09/2021

Aloha Friday! Here’s to gliding into the weekend and to blue skies.
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Feeding time for a Manu o Ku as part of the soft release program at the Honolulu Zoo.
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#alohafriday #aloha #intotheweekend #blueskies #manuoku #birdofhonolulu #nativebirds #birds #honoluluzoo #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety @hzs_education #honolulu #waikiki #oahu #hawaii

01/08/2021

Happy birthday to our curious, quick learning, crazy for corn and alfalfa, leading lady Lani Moo on her 12th birthday! To so many more romps with your Keiki Zoo friends, neck scratches from keepers and days playing with your giant boomer ball! ❤️🐄
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#birthday #birthdaygirl #dairycow #happycow #lanimoo #12thbirthday #keikizoo #hoofstock #honoluluzoo #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety Honolulu Zoo Society Education Department #meadowgoldhawaii #honolulu #waikiki #oahu #hawaii #zoo

01/07/2021

Happy 2nd birthday to the newest boy on the savanna plains block, Neelix! This big, handsome boy, who arrived at the Honolulu Zoo this past May, along with female Sandi, has been an amazing addition to our giraffe herd. He has a fondness for working with his keeper staff, especially when carrots are involved, and spending much of his time with calabash cousin Squirt. We look forward to seeing him flex his muscles as he continues to grow into a fully grown, handsome adult giraffe.
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#happybirthday #2ndbirthday #giraffebirthday #giraffe #reticulatedgiraffe #neelixthegiraffe #birthdayboy #celebrate #🎁🎉 #🦒 #honoluluzoo #thehonoluluzoo ABQ BioPark #honoluluzoosociety Honolulu Zoo Society Education Department #honolulu #waikiki #oahu #hawaii

01/06/2021

For #nationalbirdday let’s highlight one of our favorite larger than life bird residents, Lurch the Marabou stork. Native to tropical Africa, the marabou stork can be found in Senegal, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Namibia, South Africa, and Uganda. They are known as the “undertaker bird” for their appearance, with their back and long black feathers resembling a cloak. As a carnivore and often scavenger marabou storks have an important role eating food that others may leave behind. In Africa they have also created a commensalism, benefiting relationship, with bees. As the stork takes apart carcasses it creates a safe place for bees to lay their eggs and feed.
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#birds #africanbirds #maraboustork #stork #undertakerbird #carnivore #animalhighlight #featheredfriends #honoluluzoo #thehonoluluzoo #honoluluzoosociety @hzs_education #education #honolulu #hawaii