Flashback: Platypuses at The Bronx Zoo (2024)

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Flashback: Platypuses at The Bronx Zoo

Flashback: Platypuses at The Bronx Zoo (1)

Published Jul 19, 2010

Modified Jul 19, 2010

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On April 25th, 1947, David and Sigrid Fleay arrived at the Bronx Zoo with platypuses named Cecil, Penelope and Betty, who were accommodated in a new platypusary built to the Fleay's specifications. Below is some great old newsreel documenting the event.

Sadly, Betty died of a cold, but Cecil and Penelope adjusted to their new home and there were hopes they would create a family there. In 1957 an article in TIME was published, telling their story:

Penelope Platypus was one of those saucy females who like to keep a male on a string. Cecil Platypus is one of those males. They lived mid the pleasures of their own platypusary in New York's Bronx Zoo, where each had its own little swimming pool and private burrows. Back in 1953 Penelope fooled everybody with a false pregnancy. But the zoo never gave up hope. Neither did Cecil. Last month platypus observers noted that something was up in the platypusary... Cecil began to court Penelope.

Then one day in 1957, Cecil couldn't find his Penelope. She escaped the platypusary, and was never to be seen again; Cecil died two years later. The platypus is no longer in any American zoos.

Jen Carlson has been an editor with Gothamist since 2004. Her writing has also been published on Jezebel, Deadspin, and a number of composition notebooks before the internet existed. In 2015 she won a spot in the inaugural Amtrak Residency program and traveled the nation via rail. She has an Ed Hardy tattoo, but she can explain.She is currently an editor and reporter on the NYC Accountability desk in the Gothamist + WNYC newsroom.

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Flashback: Platypuses at The Bronx Zoo (2024)

FAQs

What happened to the Bronx Zoo TV show? ›

The Bronx Zoo is an American drama television series that was directed by Allan Arkush and Paul Lynch that aired on NBC from March 19, 1987, to June 29, 1988. It lasted two seasons before cancelation.

Who owns Bronx Zoo? ›

The Bronx Zoo is actually run by the Wildlife Conservation Society, founded as the New York Zoological Society in 1895.

Can you bring your own food to the Bronx Zoo? ›

Am I allowed to bring food into the zoo? Yes, picnic areas and tables for boxed lunches are provided at the Dancing Crane Café and throughout the park. Please abide by the posted rules in exhibits where food and drink are prohibited.

What zoos have had platypus? ›

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is home to two platypuses—the only platypuses outside of Australia.

Why did CBS cancel zoo? ›

The series premiered on June 30, 2015, on CBS. On October 2, 2015, Zoo was renewed by CBS for a second season, which premiered on June 28, 2016. On August 10, 2016, CBS renewed the series for a third season, which premiered on June 29, 2017. There will not be a season 4 as it was cancelled due to low ratings.

How old is Jim Breheny? ›

Jim Breheny '81 took his first job as a 14-year-old working the camel rides at the Bronx Zoo. Today, he oversees about 14,000 animals and more than 1,500 species — including camels.

How much does the Bronx Zoo make a year? ›

Bronx Zoo Company Overview

Revenue: <$5M.

What is the largest zoo in the United States? ›

The largest zoo in the United States is Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio, measuring 406.30 acres for the zoo alone and 580 acres in total. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has more than 7,000 animals and over 800 species of animals living within its borders.

What is the oldest zoo in the world? ›

Schönbrunn Zoo (German: Tiergarten Schönbrunn; also simply called Vienna Zoo) is a 17-hectare (42-acre) zoo in the city of Vienna, Austria. Established in 1752, it is the world's oldest zoo still in operation.

Do Bronx Zoo members pay for parking? ›

Bronx Zoo parking is included in Conservation Supporter, Fellow and Partner membership levels as well as Dual & Family Land & Sea Legacy levels. Parking is subject to availability and limited to one car per membership per day.

Does Bronx Zoo take AAA discount? ›

AAA members save up to 20% on admission. Use code AAANY when purchasing tickets for the Wildlife Conservation Service, which also gives discounts to AAA members at other zoos in New York City.

Does Bronx Zoo allow dogs? ›

No pets. Only working service animals are permitted, in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. Pets, comfort animals, emotional support or therapy animals are not permitted at the Zoo.

Has anyone eaten a platypus? ›

Some Aboriginal groups in their home country, Australia, hunt platypuses for food. However, platypuses are protected worldwide, and eating one is highly illegal. Apart from the legal notions, most people refrain from consuming platypus meat as their venom might contain toxins not good for the body.

Has anyone eaten platypus eggs? ›

Exclusive to Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania, the platypus and the echidna are the only two mammals known to lay eggs! These are two types of eggs which are definitely not suitable for eating.

How much is a platypus? ›

Platypus Prices
15
Adult Platypus1,5702,740
Sharkipus4,3907,680
Platycorn12,29021,500
Petipus34,42060,200
33 more rows

How long has Jim Breheny been married? ›

Jim Breheny, the director of the Bronx Zoo, has been working at the New York City attraction since he was a 14-year-old volunteer. The Bronx native met his wife of 20 years, Kathleen LaMattina, at the zoo (she's the collections manager for program animals) and the two married on the grounds.

Who is the head vet at the Bronx Zoo? ›

Susie Bartlett - Bronx Zoo.

How old is the tortoise at the Bronx Zoo? ›

Two titanic tortoises, the biggest in the city, with one topping the scales at 600 pounds, have gone on display at the Bronx Zoo. Both reptiles are believed to be over 100 years old - and could live up to another 100 years.

What is the highest paying job at a zoo? ›

High Paying Animal Jobs
  • Wildlife Biologist.
  • Veterinarian.
  • Animal Nutritionist.
  • Animal Care Specialist.
  • Wildlife Conservationist.
  • Zoologist.
  • Conservation Officer.
  • Conservation Biologist.

How much do keepers at the Bronx Zoo make? ›

Average Bronx Zoo Zookeeper yearly pay in the United States is approximately $49,894, which is 42% above the national average.

What zoo pays zookeepers the most? ›

Top companies for Zookeepers in United States
  • Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. 4.0 $53.16per hour. 48 reviews7 salaries reported.
  • Metro. 3.4 $28.83per hour. 1,910 reviews8 salaries reported.
  • Woodland Park Zoo. 4.0 $27.96per hour. ...
  • City of Los Angeles. 4.3 $27.29per hour. ...
  • City and County of Honolulu. 4.2 $26.55per hour. ...
  • Show more companies.
6 days ago

What zoo is number 1 in the US? ›

1. San Diego Zoo | San Diego, CA. Renowned across the country, San Diego's zoo, founded in 1916, is home to over 12,000 animals of more than 650 species and subspecies. Among them are red pandas; African elephants; and bonobo apes.

What is the 3 largest zoos in the USA? ›

Summary of the 10 Largest Zoos in the United States
ZooTotal Number of AnimalsLocation (State)
1. Henry Doorly Zoo17,000Nebraska
2. San Diego Zoo14,000California
3. Bronx Zoo10,000New York
4. Columbus Zoo10,000Ohio
6 more rows
6 days ago

Where is the smallest zoo in the United States? ›

Atascadero

What's the rarest animal in the world? ›

The rarest animal in the world is the vaquita (Phocoena sinus). It is a kind of critically endangered porpoise that only lives in the furthest north-western corner of the Gulf of California in Mexico. There are only 18 left in the world. It is thought that they may be extinct in ten years.

What is the 2nd oldest zoo in America? ›

The Zoological Society of Cincinnati was founded in 1873 and officially opened its doors in 1875, making the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden the second oldest Zoo in the United States.

What was the old name for a zoo? ›

The predecessor of the zoological garden is the menagerie, which has a long history from the ancient world to modern times.

How much walk is Bronx Zoo? ›

Bronx Zoo
Length5.2 mi
Elev. Gain249.3 ft
Est. Steps12000
2 more rows

Does Bronx Zoo check ID? ›

MEMBERS MUST HAVE A VALID MEMBER ID/CARD TO MAKE A TICKET RESERVATION. Members must present tickets, valid Membership card and photo ID for park entry.

Can you leave Bronx Zoo and reenter? ›

No Re-entry

Reentry is not permitted.

What stop do I get off for the Bronx Zoo? ›

From Manhattan's Eastside

Follow signs to the Bronx and the Bruckner Expwy. Take Bruckner towards New Haven (stay left); after drawbridge, exit right for the Bronx River Pkwy North. The Zoo's Bronx River entrance (Gate B) is located at Exit 6 off the Bronx River Pkwy.

How can I save money at the Zoo? ›

8 Tips on Saving Money at the Zoo
  1. Sign up for a membership. ...
  2. Check for a group discount. ...
  3. The early bird gets the worm. ...
  4. Visit the zoo on free days. ...
  5. Pack snacks and drinks. ...
  6. Volunteer for free admission. ...
  7. Don't forget the sunscreen.
Aug 18, 2022

How much does it cost to park at the Bronx Zoo? ›

Public Parking Near the Bronx Zoo
Parking FacilityAverage Rate (10 AM - 5 PM)
1939 W Farms Rd. Valet Garage$10
One Fordham Plaza Garage$13
421 E 189th St. Valet Garage$13
2846 Webster Ave. Valet Garage$19
1 more row

How long does it take to go through Bronx Zoo? ›

How long does it take to visit the Bronx Zoo? To visit the entire zoo it takes a good half a day, that is 4-5 hours.

Does Bronx Zoo have pandas? ›

The subspecies of red panda at the Bronx Zoo are western red pandas, native to the western part of the Himalayas. Adult red pandas have reddish-brown and black coats that serve as camouflage in the wild. White-naped cranes are a migratory species native to East Asia.

Is there a sloth at the Bronx Zoo? ›

Book one of our Wild Encounters for your change to get up-close and personal with penguins, cheetahs, sloths, and more.

How painful is a platypus sting? ›

This platypus, renowned as one of the few mammals that lay eggs, also is one of only a few venomous mammals. The males can deliver a mega-sting that causes immediate, excruciating pain, like hundreds of hornet stings, leaving victims incapacitated for weeks.

Can you survive a platypus sting? ›

The platypus is one of the few living mammals to produce venom. The venom is made in venom glands that are connected to hollow spurs on their hind legs; it is primarily made during the mating season. While the venom's effects are described as extremely painful, it is not lethal to humans.

Do platypuses glow under black light? ›

Fun fact: Platypus fur glows under black/UV light but scientists still dont understand its function.

Can you make bacon from a platypus? ›

so at the end, can. can you make platypus bacon? yes. yes, you can.

Can you drink platypus milk? ›

Australian biologists have discovered that platypuses might produce some of the healthiest milk out there. And who's really that surprised? The platypus is a weird mammal for a whole lot of reasons; its super nutritious milk is the icing on the quirky cake that is this half-duck/half-otter monotreme.

Is there platypus milk? ›

Like all mammals, monotreme mothers produce milk for their young. But unlike all other mammals, monotremes like the platypus have no nipples. Their milk oozes out of mammary gland ducts and collects in grooves on their skin--where the nursing babies lap it up or suck it from tufts of fur.

What is the lifespan of a platypus? ›

How many years can a platypus live? ›

Platypuses are long-lived animals both in captivity and in the wild, living up to approximately 20 years.

Do platypus have gender? ›

They have 21 pairs of ordinary chromosomes, plus 5 pairs of sex chromosomes. That's 8 more total sex chromosomes than us. But there are only two sexes of platypus.

Is the Bronx Zoo show coming back? ›

New York – Sept. 24, 2021 – The world-famous Bronx Zoo returns to Animal Planet, showcasing more incredible stories of remarkable animals and the dedicated staff who care for them.

Did Netflix remove zoo the series? ›

Netflix US loses Zoo in October 2022. Zoo has already departed Netflix in select regions around the world in July 2022 but it'll also leave Netflix eventually globally including the United States in October 2022. Here's the removal schedule for all three seasons of the CBS sci-fi series, Zoo.

Why did zoo end so abruptly? ›

Shows with high viewership and ratings get renewed, while the others get canned. Although it still had stories to tell, “Zoo” suffered from poor ratings for much of its run, which eventually resulted in its cancellation. A rebirth seems unlikely, although not impossible.

Does the Bronx Zoo have a TV show? ›

Catch up on the past seasons of THE ZOO and relive your favorite moments. You can watch new episodes Sundays at 8pm on Animal Planet. We'll see you inside the zoo!

What happened to the elephants at the Bronx Zoo? ›

In 2002, the Bronx Zoo euthanized Grumpy after she was attacked by two other elephants held in captivity there. The zoo separated Happy from Patty and Maxine and introduced a younger female Asian elephant named Sammie to be Happy's companion.

What happened to the bird keeper at the Bronx Zoo? ›

On Friday, Hajos was killed by an exotic bird, known as a Cassowary. A close and long-time friend of the victim says Hajos started working with birds at The Bronx Zoo as a child, 65 years ago.

Is Leo still at the Bronx Zoo? ›

He now lives at Himalayan Highlands part of Bronx Zoo.” There is also a book based on Leo's story named 'Leo, the Snow Leopard: The True Story of an Amazing Rescue' Written by Craig Hatkoff, Isabella Hatkoff, and Juliana Hatkoff. Amy Farr and 441 others like this.

How does the zoo series end? ›

Louis beacon offline the moment Jackson delivers his package. And they do it! It's not easy, but the Zoo Crew is able to band together and shut down the St. Louis beacon, saving the United States from a hybrid apocalypse.

What movie do animals leave the zoo? ›

An adolescent lion is accidentally shipped from the New York Zoo to Africa. Now running free, his zoo pals must put aside their differences to help bring him back.

Does Hulu have Zoo? ›

Watch Zoo Streaming Online | Hulu (Free Trial)

Have animals ever escaped from the zoo? ›

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Animals escaping their enclosures at zoos is a relatively rare event, but it does happen. Several incidents have been in the news in recent weeks.

Why was Chloe killed in Zoo? ›

Chloe's death in Zoo was apparently done to shake up the dynamic of the main characters, as she was something of a calming center for the group. Her shock demise had a major impact on the story moving forward, though her presence was definitely missed for the remainder of the series.

What happened to the zoo crew? ›

After the Crisis on Infinite Earths, the Zoo Crew were lost to obscurity.

Why is Bronx Zoo special? ›

The Bronx Zoo opened in 1899 and remains one of the largest wildlife conservation parks in the United States, housing 4,000 animals representing more than 650 species.

Is Ernie still at the Bronx Zoo? ›

On July 26, 2019, Ernie succumbed to congestive heart failure at the Bronx Zoo. He was 36 years old.

Do you still have to wear a mask at the Bronx Zoo? ›

The Bronx Zoo is a smoke-free park. Smoking permitted in designated areas only. Visitors age 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult chaperone (age 18+). MASKS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR VISIT.

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