ABQ BioPark

The ABQ BioPark is celebrating the life of Maya the jaguar, a beloved ambassador for her species. Maya moved to Albuquerque in 2014, and effortlessly captured the hearts of her care team and guests alike. As she moved into her golden years it's been our honor to provide her with the specialized expert care that enabled her to exceed the median life expectancy for jaguars. She was approaching 21 years old when we said goodbye due to age-related changes that affected her quality of life.

You can read more on our website at https://bit.ly/4bVrUIb, and please feel free to share memories of Maya from your visits over the years. We know that her impact and inspiration to protect her wild counterparts will endure.

Tingley Beach will be closed to all vehicles tomorrow, July 21, for improvements. All ponds are still open, you are welcome to visit on foot or by bicycle!

Our new after-hours event for the whole family is almost here! On Tuesday, July 21, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Africa Family Night transforms the zoo for an evening of discovery. Journey through some of the continent's most fascinating habitats—from the dense rainforests of the Congo Rainforest and unique island environments of Madagascar and the Aldabra atoll, to the expansive savannas and lively watering holes that support Africa's iconic wildlife.

Designed for families of all ages, this interactive evening will feature hands-on activities, animal encounters, educational stations, games, crafts, and opportunities to learn about remarkable species such as gorillas, lemurs, giant tortoises, hippos, giraffes, zebras, and more! You'll discover how animals adapt to their environments, how ecosystems are connected, and why conservation efforts are essential to protecting wildlife around the world.

Bring your used small electronics to recycle for Gorillas on the Line, and grab giraffe merch that directly supports conservation efforts! Don’t miss out, read more and get your tickets on our website at https://bit.ly/3ShhgEQ

is still going until July 19, so let's keep ssscaling up your snake knowledge! All week long we've put the ssspotlight on the amazing snakes of the world, and highlighted what it takes for our expert reptile team to care for the BioPark's serpentine residents.

Now, let's take a look at some misleading common names! With all of the different languages and regional dialects around the globe, not to mention all that we've learned about our wonderful world the more we studied it, common names of animals are not always the most reliable way to identify them. There could be 40 names for the same species, like the mountain lion, or the same name for different animals as in the case of two sharks known as leopard. Scientific names help us be more precise, which is especially important when assessing and understanding species' populations and conservation needs.

Did any of these names trick you? Tell us your favorite misleading common name in the comments!

July 13 through 19 is now known as , so it's time to ssscale up your snake knowledge! Celebrate with us online all week long as we put the ssspotlight on the amazing snakes of the world, and highlight what it takes for our expert reptile team to care for the BioPark's serpentine residents!

All animal residents at the ABQ BioPark receive the highest level of care thanks to the collaboration of the experts on their care teams and in our dedicated veterinary clinic. Wildlife veterinarians have a wide range of patients from tiny fish and birds to powerful tigers and elephants! They create species-appropriate schedules for routine exams, vaccines, or disease screening while balancing the challenge of performing these checkups without sedation or anesthesia whenever possible, and ensuring the process is low-stress for their beloved patients.

Snakes, including venomous species, are no exception and that’s where the safe handling skills of the highly-trained reptile care team is integral to the partnership. By working together to find creative solutions, a python can stay awake for her routine x-rays, and a senior black forest cobra can undergo a successful surgery to remove a tumor! The cobra, who you can visit at the Reptile House, made a full recovery last year and continues to receive customized care in his golden years. The addition of the CT scanner, announced in January, has already elevated the care of many other snakes and BioPark residents of all types since its arrival. The teams will continue to work together to make sure every species and every individual gets exactly what they need to live their best lives and help connect our guests to the amazing world around us as ambassadors for their species!