Tag: Oakland Zoo

Watch: ‘Satisfied’ elephant purrs like a kitten while snacking

Osh the elephant appears to be content under the care of keepers at the Oakland Zoo. So content, at times, that he purrs like a kitten.

Osh the elephant appears to be content under the care of keepers at the Oakland Zoo. So content, at times, that he purrs like a kitten.

The accompanying footage was shared via social media Sunday by the California zoo, along with the description:

“Maple & Willow aren’t the only ones with impressive purrs… here’s Osh making some sounds of satisfaction while enjoying his afternoon beet pulp snack.”

Elephant purrs are among the social animals’ many communicative skills. They also make rumbling sounds and louder trumpeting calls.

Osh was born in 1994 and the African elephant has a substantial following among zoo regulars.

Maple and Willow are mountain lions kittens that ended up at the zoo after their mother was killed last month by a vehicle strike on a Northern California highway.

Rescued cougar cub tries first hard-boiled egg in adorable video

The Oakland Zoo has shared adorable footage showing Holly, a rescued mountain lion cub, trying a hard-boiled egg for the first time.

Rescued mountain lion cubs Holly and Hazel will be transferred Wednesday from the Oakland Zoo to the Big Bear Alpine Zoo in Southern California, where they’re sure to become popular attractions.

In announcing the move, the Oakland Zoo on Monday shared footage of Holly trying her first hard-boiled egg while gazing approvingly at her keeper after each bite.

“We will be sad to see this lovable pair go, but we are happy to have been able to save both of their lives, and that [California Department of Fish and Wildlife] chose a home they could go to together,” the Oakland Zoo tweeted.

“Before they depart, we are helping these rapidly-growing rescued mountain lions continue to develop, both mentally and physically.”

The cubs were rescued about a month apart, abandoned and unable to fend for themselves.

 

ALSO: Orphaned elephant ’embraces inner helicopter’ in heartwarming video 

Holly arrived at the Oakland Zoo last December at 3 or 4 months old. She was critically ill but has thrived under the zoo’s care.

Hazel, about a a month older than Holly, was rescued in January. She was  emaciated and weighed only 12 pounds. When her “Cone of Shame” and IV unit were removed, she was photographed drinking a milk shake.

The Big Bear Alpine Zoo, in Big Bear Lake, has promised to keep them safe and content.

“We can’t wait!” the zoo commented on the Oakland Zoo’s Facebook announcement. “Thanks so much for saving their lives. We’ll provide an excellent furrever home for them.

“Our last 2 mtn lion sisters lived to be 20 and left a big hole in our hearts when we had to say goodbye last year. This will mark a new era for our zoo.”

Can you spot the leopard hiding at the Oakland Zoo?

The Oakland Zoo has posted an image to Facebook asking followers if they can spot its camouflaged male leopard.

The Oakland Zoo recently acquired a female leopard in the hope that she will develop a “love connection” with its resident male.

Their names are Emma and Lucha, and an update on their progress is forthcoming.

In a tease to this effect, the zoo on Friday shared an image of a camouflaged Lucha, an 11-year-old male, and stated to followers:

“Lucha the leopard is spotted… but can you spot him in this pic?”

Many in the comments section claimed to have spotted Lucha at first or second glance.

But for others it took a while, perhaps, because there’s a spot in middle of the image that looks as though it could be hiding Lucha.

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Some used the comment section to inquire further about the courtship between Emma and Lucha.

The most likely hiding place, of course, is the base of the tree:

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