Memphis Zoo: Two Celebrations In One Day: National Giant Panda And National Macaque Day

Press release from the Memphis Zoo:

March 16, 2022

Our CHINA exhibit has a lot to celebrate today! We want to highlight both our Giant Pandas and Macaques and use this special day to educate the public on not only our animals here at the Memphis Zoo, but also their counterparts in the wild.

Sulawesi Crested Black Macaques

The Memphis Zoo is home to a group, or troop, of six black macaques. Our two males, Lindberg and Bajo, are distinguished from the four ladies- Lyla, Sandy, Marie, Zimm- by the size of their rear ends! Female black macaques have significant swelling of their hindquarters (i.e. they have big butts!). In the wild, troops are very large and consist of multiple males and females.

Unfortunately, these beloved animals are classified as critically endangered in the wild. These primates are only found on the island of Indonesia. Their populations have declined more than 75% in the last 30 years due to habitat destruction and poaching. In the wild, these animals are important for seed dispersal to propagate the forests with the seeds they consume from over 150 fruit trees. Deforestation not only destroys the animals’ habitat; it also negatively impacts their food source.

The Memphis Zoo is one of the only remaining zoos in the nation to house Black Macaques. We are proud to share our troop with you and educate the public on the immense need these animals have in the wild. Our troop is full of unique personalities! Come by and see them today and celebrate National Macaque Day! They will be receiving their favorite treats and enrichment items to enjoy their celebration.

Giant Pandas

Our male and female pandas, Le Le and Ya Ya, are so excited to share National Panda Day with our visitors!

Giant panda bears are native to the mountains of China. The temperate forests there have bamboo as far as the eye can see, which is heaven to a panda! Did you know that “panda” actually means “bamboo eater”? Therefore, giant panda just means giant bamboo eater- which is exactly what they are! The panda pair at the Memphis Zoo eats between 40-50 pounds of bamboo each every day! Although their diet consists of about 99% bamboo, they also enjoy eating small amounts of produce and leaf eater biscuits.

As of last year, the giant panda was removed from the endangered species list and classified as vulnerable. Although their conservation status has improved, pandas are still at risk in the wild due to negative human impact.

Come visit our giant panda pair today and help us celebrate National Giant Panda Day with some of Le Le and Ya Ya’s favorite treats!

This press release was produced by the Memphis Zoo. The views expressed here are the author’s own.