Log in

World Wildlife Zoo is closed temporarily, but you can follow the animals online

Litchfield Park facility shares videos, photos on social media

Posted 4/1/20

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park closed temporarily to the public March 31 to allow staff to do their part to flatten the COVID-19 curve, but fans of the animals that call the …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor

World Wildlife Zoo is closed temporarily, but you can follow the animals online

Litchfield Park facility shares videos, photos on social media

Posted

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park closed temporarily to the public March 31 to allow staff to do their part to flatten the COVID-19 curve, but fans of the animals that call the Litchfield Park facility home can still follow their adventures online.

The zoo’s newest baby, a reticulated giraffe named Jackie, was born March 7, bringing the number of baby giraffes at the facility to three. At just a few weeks old, Jackie is already more than 6 feet tall and growing, Director of Media Relations Kristy Morcom said on the zoo’s website.

“We are excited to share updates of baby Jackie through our social media platforms, so families can still be inspired and involved from the safety of their homes,” Ms. Morcom said.

Habitat loss, fragmentation, degradation, poaching and the growth of the human population has put a strain on giraffes in the wild, and they have been declared “vulnerable to extinction” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.

Joining in the fight to save the giraffe population from extinction, Wildlife World has donated to worthy organizations working to preserve these gentle giants and has raised 12 giraffes in the last 18 years. The giraffes are ambassadors for their species and inspire visitors to conserve and protect their wild counterparts, Ms. Morcom stated.

“Mickey Ollson, founder of the Wildlife World Zoo, believes the success of the zoo’s internationally recognized giraffe breeding program is due to the expertise and dedication from its management, keepers, veterinary team, and Arizona’s ideal climate conditions, which are similar to the savannas throughout Africa,” she stated.

While the park is closed to the public, life will go on as usual for the animals, with care provided by essential employees.

“We will provide updates on our website and social media and look forward to continuing to inspire our community to conserve and protect wildlife in wild places as we have done the past 35 years and will welcome everyone back when it is safe to do so,” Ms. Morcom stated.