Coal Valley, IL - May 21, 2014 - Niabi Zoo announced today that it will be holding an all-new event on Saturday, May 24. The event is titled Princess and Pirate Day and will feature games as well as treasure and scavenger hunts. Niabi Zoo is encouraging kids to come to the Zoo dressed as either a princess or pirate as they join in on the fun.

Princess and Pirate Day will feature a variety of fun princess- and pirate-themed games such as "pin the kiss on the frog" and "walk the plank" for children of all ages to enjoy. "We are very excited to bring this all-new event to the community," said zoo director Marc Heinzman. "This new theme day is just one of the many ways that Niabi Zoo brings fun and excitement to the Quad Cities."

Niabi Zoo will also be offering a free carousel ride to all children ages 12 and under who come to the Zoo dressed as a princess or pirate. In addition to all the other fun and games, there will be a parade of all the princesses and pirates in attendance at 1:00 PM. All festivities will take place from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Niabi Zoo will be open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last admission at 4:00 PM. Regular admission rates will apply.

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Coal Valley, IL - April 24, 2014 - Niabi Zoo announced today that it will be holding its annual Earth Day Celebration on Sunday, April 27. The event, which will be held from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Zoo, will feature a variety of activities and information to help both kids and adults alike learn how they can make every day Earth Day.

Niabi Zoo's Earth Day Celebration will feature a variety of themed games for kids and adults alike, which will teach Zoo guests about conservation and making environmentally responsible choices while still being fun and engaging. "Major components of Niabi Zoo's mission are conservation leadership and engaging educational experiences," said zoo director Marc Heinzman. "Niabi Zoo's Earth Day Celebration provides a fun and engaging experience for the community to learn how they can help protect this amazing world." Several other organizations will be part of the Earth Day Celebration, including the Quad City Audubon Society and the Master Gardener/Naturalists.

Niabi Zoo will be open from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Regular admission rates will apply.

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Coal Valley, IL - 21 October 2013 - Niabi Zoo officials announced today that the Zoo's two Asian elephants, Babe and Sophie, have arrived safely at their new home at the Little Rock Zoo in Little Rock, Arkansas. The elephants, which arrived in Arkansas this afternoon, are currently settling into their new habitat after the drive from Niabi Zoo.

After an extensive and thorough nationwide search, elephant care expert Alan Roocroft selected Little Rock Zoo as the best fit for Babe and Sophie based on a number of criteria that were mutually agreed upon between Mr. Roocroft and Niabi Zoo staff. "Our number one criteria when selecting a facility for Babe and Sophie was that it be located in a warmer climate," said Niabi Zoo Director Marc Heinzman, "and Little Rock Zoo only has a combined week or two each year when their elephants have to be kept inside. That's a major improvement  from the four to six months that we have at Niabi Zoo."

In addition to the warmer climate, Mr. Roocroft and Niabi Zoo staff also focused on the management program and staff experience at any potential facilities. "It was important to us that Babe and Sophie continue to be managed in such a way that would encourage them to stay active and healthy," said Heinzman. "Babe is overweight and Sophie has arthritis. In order to keep these conditions from worsening as they age, they need to be in a management program that has them exercise and stay mobile. Mr. Roocroft was impressed by the condition of Little Rock Zoo's elephant and the knowledge of the Zoo's elephant team."

Alan Roocroft visited Little Rock Zoo in September and prepared a report on his assessment of their management program and facilities, which was recently submitted to Niabi Zoo staff. Babe and Sophie will be joining Little Rock Zoo's one adult female Asian elephant, Zina. Babe and Sophie will be kept together while also adding to a third member to their herd, which were two other important factors to Mr. Roocroft and Niabi Zoo.

Niabi Zoo was assisted in the transport of the elephants by Feld Entertainment Inc., which operates Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Feld Entertainment Inc., the original owners of Babe and Sophie before they were donated to Niabi Zoo, donated their services and transportation expertise to Niabi Zoo. "We're extremely grateful to Feld Entertainment for helping us with what otherwise could have been a very costly procedure," said Heinzman. "Their vast experience with transporting elephants and their equipment was invaluable. Moving elephants is normally extremely costly and dangerous, and we couldn't have done it without Feld Entertainment."

Babe and Sophie, who have been at Niabi Zoo since 2000 and 2003 respectively, will be on loan to Little Rock Zoo. By loaning them, Niabi Zoo retains ownership and oversight of the elephants' future. "It was, and will continue to be, extremely important to us that Babe and Sophie stay together and leave Niabi Zoo for the best possible situation," said Heinzman, "and we're in agreement with Mr. Roocroft that Little Rock Zoo offers that."

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Coal Valley, IL - August 20, 2013 - The staff at Niabi Zoo is mourning the death of a female giraffe calf born on August 13. The calf survived for approximately three hours before a sudden and rapid decline set in. The calf has been sent to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, where a veterinary pathologist is completing a full necropsy (animal autopsy). Full results are expected to be in sometime next week.

"This was a terrible loss that was felt by everyone at the zoo, particularly the giraffe care staff. Our experienced animal care and veterinary staff made every attempt to resuscitate the calf, but ultimately we were unable to help her pull through," said Marc Heinzman, Niabi Zoo Director.  

The calf was born to Mimi, an experienced mother who has had two healthy and successful calves in years past. Weighing 124 pounds at birth and showing no outward signs of trouble during her initial veterinary exam, the calf began to experience apparent breathing trouble approximately two and half hours after birth. Zoo staff noticed her breathing troubles and intervened in an attempt to increase her rate of respiration. Despite their best efforts, the calf continued to fade until passing away at approximately 11:20 am.

"As with any newborn at the Zoo, we were keeping continuous observations on this calf. She had been exhibiting normal behaviors for newborn giraffes, including several attempts to stand for the first time," said Heinzman. "We are continuing to keep a close eye on Mimi to make sure she continues to do well."

Studies of wild giraffes have shown that mortalities of newborn calves are not uncommon. Fifty percent of giraffe calves do not survive past 6 months of age.  

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