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Their birth marks a significant moment for the IUCN listed vulnerable species and highlights the commitment of the Zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams.
On May 10, the Zoo’s female fossa, Alina, gave birth to four pups following a breeding recommendation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Fossa Species Survival Plan (SSP). SSPs are designed to keep a genetically diverse breeding population of endangered and threatened species in AZA institutions to guard against species extinction.
After an extended labor, it became clear the mother would not be able to provide the care for the babies. Zoo staff consulted with the Fossa SSP and made the difficult decision to hand-raise the cubs. It had been approximately 15 years since an AZA-accredited zoo in the U.S. had attempted hand-rearing fossa cubs. There are only 34 fossa currently in the SSP population.
“The pups were born premature and required feeding every two hours. Our teams worked around the clock,” said Chris Torge, Director of Animal Operations.
Despite exhaustive efforts, two of the pups did not survive due to medical complications.
“This loss was incredibly difficult for the team, but we remained focused on the two surviving females and giving them every chance to thrive,” Torge said.
Today, the Zoo is thrilled to report that the remaining two female pups are growing, active, and reaching important developmental milestones. They are climbing, exploring, and displaying all the spirited behaviors expected of young fossas to the great excitement of the Zoo’s animal team.
“This is conservation in action; it’s not always easy or predictable, but it’s always worth it,” said Richard Glover, Jr., CEO. “These pups had a very rough start to life, but thanks to the tireless dedication of our veterinary and animal care teams, the two of them are now thriving.”
The two female pups will be a part of the AZA’s SSP for fossa, hopefully passing on their important genetics to future generations of the threatened fossa. They are expected to be available for the public to see in the fossa habitat at the Central Florida Zoo this fall.
Native only to Madagascar, fewer than 2,500 fossas remain in the wild due to habitat loss and disease. The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is committed to protecting this unique predator and advancing conservation knowledge.
For more information about the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, visit www.centralfloridazoo.org.
About the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is home to more than 350 animals in Sanford, Florida. As a not-for-profit organization, it is a leader in conservation, creating connections that inspire people to take action for wildlife. More information is available at www.centralfloridazoo.org.
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