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Sunday, May 24, 2026
Yin, one of the Milwaukee County Zoo's Chinese alligators, has died
Hannah Kirby
A Yang without his Yin. The Milwaukee County Zoo is mourning the loss of another one of its animals.
Chinese alligator Yin, a longtime resident, was humanely euthanized in early May, the zoo shared in a Tuesday, May 19, post on its website and social media. She is suspected to have had ovarian cancer with metastasis, the zoo shared, citing preliminary necropsy results.
"Yin was a favorite among zookeepers and will be missed," the post said. "She was very smart and slower to trust but comfortable once she knew the animal care team members. The zookeepers noted she was strong-willed and intelligent, and loved shrimp."
When the animal care team noticed Yin was having mobility issues last June, the veterinary staff assessed her, which lead to antibiotic treatment for a spinal lesion, the post said. More recently, Yin's skin condition and appetite have been declining.
"After much consideration about her quality of life, along with a poor prognosis, the team made the decision to humanely euthanize her," the post said.
Yin was nearly 41 years old. The median life expectancy for a Chinese alligator in human care in 26 years old, according to the zoo.
Yin and male Chinese alligator Yang, 39, have been behind the scenes since Yin's treatment began, with Yang providing companionship to her, the post said.
"In the morning, Yin and Yang were often seen laying closely, and they spent a lot of time together," the post said.
Yin and Yang came to Milwaukee together from the Bronx Zoo in 1995.
Yang – who zookeepers note is healthy – will return to the Chinese alligator habitat, located in the zoo's Aquatic & Reptile Center, once ongoing pool renovations to the habitat are completed, the post said.
The zoo has been in contact with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan Program coordinator, the post said, and Milwaukee will likely receive a recommendation for another female in the future.
Yin's death comes just around a month after another longtime zoo resident, Brittany – a 45-year-old African savanna elephant – was humanely euthanized after her health declined. In September, one of the zoo's other beloved geriatric elephants, Ruth, was euthanized after a couple of falls.
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Events planned throughout Racine County over Memorial Day weekend
Milana Doné
RACINE — Racine County residents have a handful options available to honor service members this Memorial Day weekend.
Racine
The Racine Memorial Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Monday on Washington Avenue at West Boulevard, according to Racine Area Veterans Inc.. The parade moves north along West Boulevard to Osborne Road, and concludes at Graceland Cemetery with a remembrance ceremony at 11 a.m.
West Boulevard between Washington Avenue and Osborne Boulevard will be closed from about 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..
Over the weekend, the Racine Zoo, at 2131 N. Main Street, will feature extended summer hours. From May 23-25, the zoo will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mount Pleasant
West Lawn Memorial Park’s Memorial Day Honor Service is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday at 9000 Washington Avenue in Racine.
The ceremony includes a flag display from a South Shore Fire Department ladder truck, a portrayal of George Washington by a historical reenactor and patriotic music performed by the Racine Lutheran High School Band.
Additionally, patrons can expect a reading of the names of veterans interred at West Lawn since last Memorial Day. It will be followed by a dove release and the placement of a wreath at the veterans’ memorial.
Wind Lake
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8343 will host its Memorial Day ceremony from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
It will feature a motorcycle parade led by the Gary Wetzel Riders, the motorcycle club of Wisconsin Medal of Honor recipient. The parade will leave from The Penny Bar at 6959 South Loomis Road at 11 a.m. Riders will travel around Wind Lake to the VFW memorial grounds next to B-Lazy Bar and Grill at 7922 South Loomis Road.
The ceremony also will include reading the names of veterans, live music by the Smooth Blues Band, games, a firework show, raffles and the Boy Scout food booth.
Union Grove
The fifth annual Memorial Day Parade to honor the residents of Wisconsin Veterans Home Union Grove will be held Monday.
Parade participants will meet between 1:30 and 2:15 p.m. in the parking lot of the Racine County Fairgrounds and can use the Highway 45 Fairgrounds entrance.
The vehicles will leave the fairgrounds at about 2:30 p.m. and travel on Highway 11 and Highway C to the grounds of Southern Wisconsin Center and the Wisconsin Veterans Home.
They will then pass through the adjacent Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery and take a final pass by the Wisconsin Veterans Home.
The parade will include vehicles from the Kansasville Fire Department and Union Grove-Yorkville Fire Department.
More information can be found by contacting committee member David Bart at 847-691-3901 or Ellen Jante at 262-492-2439.
Burlington area
The Rochester Memorial Parade is one of the longest-running traditions in the state.
It will line up at 1 p.m. Monday at the Rochester Fire Department at 31020 Academy Road in Burlington. The parade steps off at 1:30 p.m. and will end at Pioneer Park. The post-parade ceremony features taps, the lowering of a wreath and a flag-folding ceremony.
Friday, May 22, 2026
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Second bighorn born at Racine Zoo, follows first born last week
Milana Doné
RACINE — Another bighorn sheep has joined the family at the Racine Zoo.
The zoo welcomed two female Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Helga and Mantis, earlier this year. Mantis delivered a boy May 12, and Helga delivered a girl Wednesday, according to a news release from the zoo.
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Neither baby has been named. Patrons can vote on name options on the Racine Zoo Facebook page.
Options for Mantis’s boy are Sierra, Cosmo and Topaz. Voting is open until May 24 at noon, and the winning name will be announced May 25.
Options for Helga’s girl are Greta, Romayne and Ruby. Voting is open until May 31 at noon, and the winning name will be announced June 1.
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