Racine Zoo mourns passing of African penguin, Nelson

Racine Zoo mourns loss of 5-year-old African penguin Nelson

From The Journal Times.com:

Milana Doné

Nelson, an African penguin at the Racine Zoo, passed away June 3 following a terminal illness. 

Courtesy of Racine Zoo

RACINE — Nelson, a 5-year-old African penguin who was born at The Racine Zoo on March 6, 2021, and could be recognized by his orange band and hunched back, has died.

Two days after Nelson hatched, he was joined by his twin brother, Ozzy, according to a news release from the zoo.

The zoo described them as a sweet, chaotic pair that sought love, attention and trouble. The penguins continued to recognize each other as brothers even as they grew into adulthood.

When Nelson was a chick, he developed a spinal infection that impacted the growth of his spine and resulted in a hunched posture, the zoo said. Although medical intervention was able to cure his infection, the shape of Nelson’s spine was permanent.

Nelson was able to do everything a normal penguin would, and the zoo prioritized a happy, healthy and comfortable life through special veterinary care, such as acupuncture treatments.

According to the zoo, Nelson formed more of a bonded relationship with hiskeepers than any of the other penguins. He clung to their shoes and responded to scratches with his own “preening” of the keepers’ fingers.

The zoo said animal care staff recently noticed changes in Nelson’s behavior and appetite that indicated something was wrong.

After exams determined a terminal illness, staff considered quality of life and declining condition. Nelson was euthanized June 3 surrounded by the animal care team, who the zoo said will remember and miss him.

African penguins live along the coast of South Africa and are the only species of penguins that live on the continent.

Their typical lifespan is 15-20 years in the wild and 20-30 years or longer in human care.

From: https://journaltimes.com/news/local/article_a6fdf43b-88e6-4bfe-b2cb-929eec2ba897.html

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What was the Milwaukee County Zoo rhino's prediction on Groundhog Day?

From JSOnline:

Hannah Kirby

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The rhino has spoken.

Without a resident groundhog, the Milwaukee County Zoo had an eastern black rhino – one of its newest residents – handle its Groundhog Day prediction this year.

According to non-scientific tradition, if a groundhog emerges from its den on Feb. 2 and sees its shadow, it'll return to its burrow for six more weeks of winter. If it's a cloudy day and it doesn't see its shadow, there will be an early spring.

Rhino Kianga predicted "cloudy skies and an early spring forecast," the zoo posted on social media before 8:45 a.m. Feb. 2.

The zoo shared a video of a cloud poster and a sun poster propped up next to each other. Kianga is seen waltzing up to the posters and nudging the cloud one.

While the Milwaukee County Zoo's Groundhog Day prediction had been a media-only event since 2021, it went online-only for 2026.

Is Kianga on the same page as Punxsutawney Phil? Nope, Phil saw his shadow. But Jimmy the Groundhog in Sun Prairie didn't see his shadow.

Kianga, 22, from the Racine Zoo, joined the Milwaukee County Zoo in October, along with fellow eastern black rhino Zuri, 16, from the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

They reside in the new Ladish Co. Foundation Rhino Care Center and Robert Dohmen Hippo Indoor Haven. Female Zuri and male Kianga have been paired as potential breeding partners via the multi-zoo Eastern Black Rhino Species Survival Plan.

After the passing of the zoo's last groundhog, Gordy, in 2023, Humboldt penguins were consulted for the 2024 winter-weather prediction, and in 2025, Nigerian dwarf goats did the honors.

Getting a new groundhog is not a simple matter, explained Bridget Carpenter, assistant curator of the zoo's family farm, in a 2025 interview. Here's a look at why that is.

Jim Higgins of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/2026/02/02/milwaukee-county-zoo-rhino-see-shadow-groundhog-day/88472554007/

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The Milwaukee County Zoo's newly remodeled Penguins of the Pacific habitat opens

From JSOnline:

Amy Schwabe

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The Humbolt penguins are back at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

In March, the Humboldt penguin enclosure — located near the front of the zoo — was closed for several months as the exhibit was remodeled into the newly named Penguins of the Pacific exhibit. Starting Dec. 11, the new habitat will be viewable by the public.

The $5 million renovation to the habitat — which was originally built in the 1980s — includes larger viewing windows, new shade structures, a replaced water filtration system and the expansion of the penguins' pool from 10,000 to 30,000 gallons.

During the renovation, the zoo's 15 Humboldt penguins were relocated to the flamingo building, where they were not viewable by the public.

To celebrate the penguins' return, there will be special activities at the Dec. 11 Wild Lights holiday event from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The first 500 visitors will receive a Penguins of the Pacific tote bag, and all visitors will be able to make their own penguin mask.

Zoo Guide:Everything you need to know to visit the zoo, from admission cost to hours

From: https://www.jsonline.com/story/life/2024/12/10/milwaukee-county-zoo-penguins-of-the-pacific-exhibit-opens/76886337007/

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