Bloomington Parks & Recreation - Miller Park Zoo

Come see what is new at Miller Park Zoo!

Four pups were born at the Zoo in April to the Red Wolf pair “Bruiser” and “Kai.” As the pups are beginning to become more active and visible in their habitat, the Zoo is asking for some human help in naming the one male and three female pups.

The public will have the opportunity to vote on names for the pups and raise money for the Red Wolf survival. Guests will vote by placing a donation in bins located in the Zootique gift shop. The group of names that receives the highest donation total will be the winners. 100% of the money raised by this naming contest will go to Red Wolf Conservation work.

Zoo staff has compiled four sets of names.

Option #1: John Tobias’ grandchildren: Michael (male), Lily (female), Rose (female), and Anna (female). John Tobias was the Miller Park Zoo Superintendent for 19 years until he retired in April 2009. He was responsible for bringing Red Wolves to the Zoo in 1993.

Option #2: Red theme: Red (male), Crimson (female), Blush (female), and Rose (female). This option comes from the RED Wolf name.

Option #3: American theme: Sam (male), Iris (female), Glory (female), Liberty (female). This option comes from the date of birth for the litter which was April 15 (Tax Day).

Option #4: State theme: Louis (male), Georgia (female), Carolina (female), and Missy (female). This option comes from some of the states (Louisiana, Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Mississippi) that the Red Wolf can be found in the wild.

Funds raised will go toward conservation efforts including the purchase of VHF radio collars used to track Red Wolves in the wild. Conservation and reintroduction programs have been vital for the survival of Red Wolves. In 1970 there were only 14 pure Red Wolves known to be alive in the world. Now there are approximately 179 Red Wolves in 40 institutions including Miller Park Zoo.

For more information, contact Steve Fast at Bloomington Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department (309-434-2413).

Red Wolf "Kai," the newest mom at the Zoo
Female Red Wolf Kai gave birth to 4 pups in mid-April and is caring for them in the Zoo's exhibit. Kai and her mate Bruiser are the newest parents of 1 male and 3 female pups that will soon be venturing from the den and exploring the habitat.

Zoo superintendent Jay Tetzloff says Kai and her puppies are doing well.

"The Red Wolf Pups are developing well, " Tetzloff says. "Between days ten and fourteen their eyes open and by about four weeks the pups may begin to wander out of the den, staying near the entrance. By about 6 weeks the pups will spend more time outside the den."

Breeding programs are an important part of the Zoo's mission, and play a vital part in the conservation mission of Species Survival Programs.

Miller Park Zoo has exhibited Red Wolves since 1992. Bruise and Kai's pups are the first births since 1994.

Red Panda pair moved into exhibit
Two distinctive new faces have arrived at Miller Park Zoo. A Red Panda pair, with striking ringed tails and colorful faces, are roaming around their new home; their habitat at Bloomington's Zoo.

A 1-year old female from the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and a 1-year old male from the Detroit Zoo have been brought to Miller Park Zoo to establish a breeding pair.

Red Pandas are unique-looking creatures, with long tails that range between 12 and 20 inches, reddish-brown hair and a dark-colored underside.

"The Red Panda stands out in may ways with distinctive coat coloring," Tetzloff says, "Most animals have light-colored underside but the Red Pandas have a blacking color coat on the underside and a lighter coat on top. Their faces are lightly colored with 'tear-marking.' They also have distinctive, bushy ringed tails.

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Red Pandas are "highly endangered," a distinction given to the species since 1988. Deforestation in China and Nepal has been shrinking the natural habitat of the Red Panda.
Photo credit: John Tobias

For additional information call (309) 434-2250.

Help Name The Red Wolf Pups at Miller Park Zoo