Zoo Miami Sumatran tiger in ‘serious condition’ due to anemia, dehydration
For the past several days, Zoo Miami’s adult male Sumatran tiger, “Berani,” has been sluggish with a loss of appetite which has raised concern in the Animal Science and Animal Health teams at the zoo, Zoo Miami Communications Director Ron Magill announced in a news release Thursday.
What’s causing flamingos to flock to Miami Springs? Resident discovers surprising possibility
Residents in Miami Springs are concerned about a recent, unusual series of flamingo sightings that they believe may be coming from nearby Hialeah Park, where a flock of the majestic pink birds has lived since the ‘30s.
‘You can’t buy wildlife once it’s dead’: Commission allows 550 residences on disputed Calusa golf course
Opposition to plans to redevelop a golf course in Miami-Dade County prompted neighbors to start the Save Calusa campaign. They rented a bus to attend a zoning meeting on Wednesday in downtown Miami and witnessed commissioners vote 10-2 against their cause.
![Zoo Miami celebrates Florida’s American flamingo conservation on International Flamingo Day](https://www.local10.com/resizer/nt6QKx1lHZI0OG4UianjHLb9mpw=/800x531/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JUJJLICKGRESBDNMGUT2JT4JJA.jpg)
Zoo Miami celebrates Florida’s American flamingo conservation on International Flamingo Day
Monday, April 26, is International Flamingo Day, and if there’s anything more quintessentially South Florida (besides coconut trees and sunshine) it’s the American Flamingo. However, what most people don’t know is that the American flamingo hasn’t always been classified as a native species of Florida.
![Listen up for loud exotic birds that were stolen in Davie, wildlife expert Ron Magill says](https://www.local10.com/resizer/JR0PAReK89PK-1uaAj25IlFHSKk=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/02-25-2021/t_de8147c460a0456e84853f858a9ad712_name_image.jpg)
Listen up for loud exotic birds that were stolen in Davie, wildlife expert Ron Magill says
DAVIE, Fla. – Wildlife expert Ron Magill wants the public to stay alert for the noise that will be coming from the 157 exotic birds that a burglar recently stole from a store in Broward County. A burglar, who recently cut a hole in the roof of the Birdhouse pet store in Davie stole 70 sun conures and 60 green-cheeked conures valued at $65,000. AdThere was also a female Eclectus, which is an attention-seeker that can produce 115 decibels of noise — louder than a Jet take-off. The thief also stole five quaker parrots with contact calls as loud as 113 decibels. These mellow birds’ contact calls get as high as 80 decibels, which is as noisy as a garbage disposal or a dishwasher.
![New conservation center at Zoo Miami is interactive learning experience](https://www.local10.com/resizer/BIMb1tzj_7aIkj-atHrcIcILBlQ=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/01-15-2021/t_8f61c7259bf74d7a8270db6dc902235d_name_image.jpg)
New conservation center at Zoo Miami is interactive learning experience
SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. – The new Conservation Action Center at Zoo Miami opens to the public on Saturday, Jan. 16, but Local 10 was able to get a sneak peek at the hands-on experience. Zoo Miami’s Ron Magill said the idea of the center is to introduce one of the “major pillars of the zoo and that’s conservation, but in a fun way.”There’s plenty to see and do, all with the goal of making it an interactive experience with games like Habitat Whack a Mole and Mating Game. There’s also “What’s the Poop?” where visitors can race to see how fast you can scoop the “poop” into compost bins. So, you can come in here and play a variety of games — Interactive games — to try to get involved and understand why it’s so important and what we do every day to conserve wildlife,” Magill said. The first 500 visitors into the center on Saturday and Sunday will receive a free gift, according to the Zoo.
![ZooMiami euthanizes male giraffe Pongo](https://www.local10.com/resizer/P0UrjjOqv8XCyKx7Xe5TxNcBI2E=/1280x720/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NNY3YCSRBZBC7ABYIB5E7MNUXA.jpg)
ZooMiami euthanizes male giraffe Pongo
Pogo, a giraffe born at the Denver Zoo, had lived at ZooMiami since 2009 before he was euthanized on Monday in Miami-Dade. MIAMI – Veterinarians euthanized Pongo, a ZooMiami giraffe, on Monday morning after he was suffering from increasing pain, ZooMiami announced on Monday afternoon. Pongo arrived at ZooMiami in 2009 after he was born at the Denver Zoo and nursed with his mother Masika, a reticulated giraffe, also known as a Somali giraffe. At 16-feet tall, Pongo had grown into the tallest giraffe of the zoo’s herd and visitors were able to see him closely at the Samburu Giraffe Feeding Station. Pongo, the giraffe, lived at ZooMiami for more than a decade.
![2 FIU students receive $5,000 scholarships from Zoo Miami](https://www.local10.com/resizer/mrEt87Ixe3AbE74KxD44_XyyjIU=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/12-10-2020/t_b5f96d53bb3443c3bfef4e59fb7ed04d_name_image.jpg)
2 FIU students receive $5,000 scholarships from Zoo Miami
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Two Florida International University students received a special surprise Thursday from Zoo Miami. “The Ron Magill Conservation Scholarship came as a product of the Ron Magill Conservation Endowment -- that’s an endowment I started here at the zoo to help protect animals in the wild,” Zoo Miami’s Ron Magill said. Magill passed out the $5,000 checks Thursday to the two students who participated in the first ever selection process. Both students are focusing on species of sea turtles and doing their field studies of hatchings. “I would love to use this money for (that) and also to support my research.”“I was trying to do a sea turtle project in Cuba.
![Zoo Miami giraffe undergoes successful series of procedures](https://www.local10.com/resizer/Nv8arm7syHd9yONsA7QkytTFwRY=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/09-23-2020/t_cf6a045f131f4514867aa9f51781d3d4_name_image.jpg)
Zoo Miami giraffe undergoes successful series of procedures
MIAMI – An 11-year-old reticulated giraffe named Pongo from Zoo Miami underwent a series of successful procedures over the weekend. It took more than two dozen people, including veterinarians, veterinary technicians, zookeepers and farriers, to immobilize the giraffe and perform the procedures. Full Screen 1 / 9 Photo courtesy: Ron Magill/Zoo MiamiAccording to a Zoo Miami news release, Pongo stands at more than 16 feet tall and weighs close to 2,000 pounds. Pongo has since made a full recovery from his anesthesia and has been reunited with the rest of the herd at Zoo Miami. It is expected to take several weeks for the fracture to heal, so Pongo will be closely monitored over the next few months.
![Zoo Miami reopens to public following two-month closure](https://www.local10.com/resizer/tAoUAFE5S51Bsc-0hJuiZf8kvS8=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/2HVOYREX65ARFJRV2PFM37QZZM.jpg)
Zoo Miami reopens to public following two-month closure
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Zoo Miami reopened to visitors Tuesday after being forced to re-close its doors on the Fourth of July. “We feel relieved and a bit elated,” Ron Magill, of Zoo Miami, said. But with the state now entering Phase 2 of its reopening, zoo officials decided to reopen most outdoor attractions, but not without changes. Zoo officials are also limiting the number of guests they let in each day. “As long as I think they’re taking precautions and safety, I think it’s a good thing,” Ophelia Gualtieri said.
![Zoo Miami set to open, just waiting on mayors OK](https://www.local10.com/resizer/kWYf9ZMCRumc9a6yhvOQy9L2se0=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/09-04-2020/t_f861696324e84b4ab9ed43944ff327f4_name_image.jpg)
Zoo Miami set to open, just waiting on mayors OK
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. The sign at Zoo Miami reads Thanks for Visiting. And spokesman Ron Magill says they are ready for visitors to safely return. Theyve just been waiting on the green light from Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez. All I can tell you is that we at Zoo Miami are ready to open, Magill said Friday. Were just awaiting word from the mayors office.The Mayors office isnt yet ready to make a decision. The Zoo did open to one visitor Friday, 8-year-old Jaden Blanco, who is fighting a brain tumor.
![4 employees at Zoo Miami test positive for COVID-19](https://www.local10.com/resizer/fWhVWu7uY_8pzPLDXih1a3h7DCw=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/06-28-2020/t_8ef1c97732674eaf849f165994d9a619_name_image.jpg)
4 employees at Zoo Miami test positive for COVID-19
MIAMI, Fla. With hundreds of people in and out of Zoo Miami daily, operators know the facility is not immune to the coronavirus outbreak. The 4 employees are now in quarantine and recovering away from Zoo Miami. There are close to 500 employees employed at Zoo Miami. Zoo Miami has very stringent safety measure that have been in place for employees since the start of the outbreak, according to Magill. Because the interactive programs person tested positive we are now closing all interactive programs from now on.
![Zoo Miami's Ron Magill wants alligator hunters to follow Florida's rules](https://media.local10.com/photo/2019/08/14/Ron_Magill_wants_alligator_hunters_to_follow_Floridas_rules_1565839058264_22175565_ver1.0_1280_720.jpg)
Zoo Miami's Ron Magill wants alligator hunters to follow Florida's rules
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. - Thousands of hunters are signing up for permits in Florida ahead of the six-week alligator hunting season, which begins Thursday. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, more than 15,000 hunters have applied for permits, but only about 7,700 will actually get one. Alligator hunting is popular because of the thrill, the skin and the meat. Ron Magill, of Zoo Miami, wants hunters to be careful out there and remember to follow the rules. Florida's gator hunting season ends Nov. 1.
![Zoo Miami welcomes 7-year-old endangered elephant bull from Australia](https://media.local10.com/photo/2018/05/09/Ongard%20at%20Melbourne%20Zoo%20_1525891567956.jpg_12051583_ver1.0_1280_720.jpg)
Zoo Miami welcomes 7-year-old endangered elephant bull from Australia
Zoo Miami welcomed a 7-year-old endangered elephant bull from Australia to its facilities this week. Zoo Miami goodwill ambassador and communications director Ron Magill said in an email that the male Asian elephant named Ongard arrived in Miami Tuesday on a chartered jet and received a police escort. PETA activists were quick to voice their disapproval Wednesday about bringing Ongard to Zoo Miami. Magill said Ongard, who was born Sept. 10, 2010, at the Melbourne Zoo, is the first elephant to ever leave Australia. Magill said Zoo Miami spent nearly a half-million dollars in new renovations to its Asian elephant exhibit in preparation for Ongard's arrival.