Memphis Zoo Welcomes Two New Babies
The Memphis Zoo recently welcomed two new babies around the new year, a dik-dik and a bongo.
Hinata (pronounced Hee-nuh-tuh), which means “sunny place,” was born on New Year’s Eve. The female dik-dik was born to first-time mother, Willow, 2, and father, Mike, 10. Once the weather warms up, Hinata will be found in the Zambezi Hippo River Camp, where the dik-diks share an exhibit with an okapi and a helmeted Guineafowl.
Zito, a male bongo, was the first animal born in the zoo this year. His name means “clumsy” – which the zoo claims he is – or big. “Once you see his ears, you’ll understand,” says the zoo. Zito was born to mother, Marley, and father, Franklin.
Mother and baby will be on display in the African Veldt section of the zoo, weather permitting.
New at the Garden
Two new projects are scheduled to open this summer at the Memphis Botanic Garden.
A new section of the Woodland Garden “is set to become the Garden’s premier showplace of native plants,” says the Garden. Improvements will also be made to better connect the Sara’s Place event venue with the Woodland, to include a new boardwalk, stone pathway, seating, and a scenic overlook. A new sculpture installation will also be part of these improvements.
The Water Garden, first gifted by the Memphis Garden Club in 1965 and largely untouched since then, is going to get a complete makeover. When complete, this space will become accessible to the public during all operating hours. It will feature a water feature, new public art piece, seating for quiet reflection, and all new plantings. It will also be able to convert to a small event or pre-event space.
The improvements are part of a $6 million campus modernization project that began at the Botanic Gardens in 2019.
Missing Horse
UPDATE: Evelyn, the missing horse, was found dead Thursday morning, Agricenter officials said in a statement.
“We thank the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Memphis Police Department, and the Mid-South community for their assistance and outpouring of support in the search for Evelyn,” reads the statement. “We extend our sincerest condolences to the owners and their families during this time.”
Officials from Agricenter International’s Show Place Arena are asking the public to help locate a missing horse.
The horse, Evelyn (above), is a three-year-old Palomino quarter horse standing 15 hands high, about five feet. She was last seen in her stall in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 15th. She and her owners had competed in the Battle in the Saddle competition at the arena.
Those who see Evelyn are asked to contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s non-emergency line at (901) 222-5500 and provide her current location. Be cautious and avoid trying to catch her on your own. Keep an eye out for potential dangers to the horse or others.
Owners Jamie and John Osborne can be reached at (901) 734-5064 or loves2barrelrace@hotmail.com, in addition to Agricenter International at (901) 757-7777.
