In 2023, Milwaukeeans said mournful good-byes to Milwaukee County Zoo favorites, including Gordy the groundhog, two giraffes and a silverback gorilla.

In happier news, we also met some new babies, including a De Brazza’s monkey born in front of visitors, and welcomed animals here from other zoos, such as female harbor seal Mira and Choto, a male snow leopard.

Milwaukee County Zoo animals that died in 2023

On Feb. 5, Stella, a 19-year-old female jaguar, was humanely euthanized. According to a statement from the zoo, Stella had suffered for years from “chronic, age-related health conditions that worsened and were not responsive to supportive care.”

On March 3, just about a month after predicting six more weeks of winter in the zoo’s annual Groundhog Day ceremony, Gordy, the zoo’s almost-five-year-old groundhog, died. Gordy — who had been popular with zookeepers, zoo visitors and thousands of Milwaukee schoolchildren who watched his prediction every year — was mourned by many fans who will miss his “camera star personality.”

On March 22, Bahatika, a 17-year-old male giraffe, died. Although he had experienced a variety of age-related health issues, his death was unexpected. Baha had been in Milwaukee since 2006, and fathered 7 calves.

Just a week after the death of Bahatika, another giraffe, 30-year-old female Rahna, was humanely euthanized. Rahna had long been monitored by the zoo’s vet staff as she suffered from a variety of age-related issues and was ten years beyond the median life expectancy of female giraffes living in zoos.

On April 19, Sanchi, the zoo’s 26-year-old Bactrian camel, was humanely euthanized after her quality of life declined due to her age. She had lived in Milwaukee since November 1997.

On May 18, Gypsy, a 30-year-old Arabian horse, was humanely euthanized due to an acute episode of colic that zoo staff believed wouldn’t have been solved with surgery. Gypsy had been a resident of the Northwestern Mutual Family Farm since 2013.

On May 24, Stuart, a zebra, died after colliding with a fence. According to a statement from the zoo, “As he was exploring, running and chasing the impalas in the yard, Stuart inadvertently came in contact with the wire containment fence surrounding the habitat. Despite the immediate response from the veterinary team, Stuart did not survive his injuries.” Stuart had been at the Milwaukee County Zoo since 2019.

On Sept. 13, Oliver, a 34-year-old male silverback western lowland gorilla, died. Oliver, who had experienced chronic health conditions for years, had been anesthetized to address a tooth infection. He experienced cardiac and respiratory arrest while under anesthesia, and was unable to be revived. Oliver had been in Milwaukee since 2021.

Milwaukee County Zoo animals that we welcomed in 2023

In March 2023, the zoo announced the arrival of ten new Amazon milk frogs — tiny blue frogs that secrete poison against predators when they’re threatened. The frogs came to Milwaukee from the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium.

Two new calves, Bailey, a Brown Swiss cow, and Harper, a Holstein cow, were born in early 2023 in the Northwestern Mutual Family Farm. A third calf, Martini, was born in September.

On March 14, a Victoria crowned pigeon chick hatched in the zoo’s aviary. The species, which is native to New Guinea, is a first for the Milwaukee County Zoo.

On April 6, a female harbor seal, Mira, arrived in Milwaukee from the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. Mira, who was born Aug. 7, 2021, was brought to Milwaukee in the hopes that she will be a companion to Leia and mate with Ringo.

On April 12, a northern spider tortoise hatched, the first successful hatching for the zoo’s mating pair. Northern spider tortoises are a critically endangered species.

On May 20, Leilani, a female Bactrian camel was born to mom AJ and dad Stan.

On June 10, the zoo’s female De Brazza’s monkey, Holly, gave birth to Heri in front of zoo visitors. Holly and Hugo, the baby’s father, were brought to Milwaukee in 2022 in the hopes that they would become the zoo’s first De Brazza’s monkey breeding pair.

In July, Nelson, a 14-year-old Norwegian Fjord horse, was brought to the Milwaukee County Zoo. Fjord horses are considered ponies, and the species was first brought to the United States in the 1950s.

On July 30, Guillermo, a prehensile-tailed porcupine baby — otherwise known as a porcupette — was born to mom Quinn and dad Seamus.

In July, Choto, a 2-year-old male snow leopard, arrived in Milwaukee from the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck, North Dakota. Zookeepers hope Choto will breed with the zoo’s 9-year-old female snow leopard, Orya.

On Aug. 5, Chula, a female greater kudu, was born. Greater kudus are a species of antelope native to eastern and southern Africa. Chula means “cute” in Spanish.

On Oct. 27, a 3-year-old male giraffe, Kendi, arrived in Milwaukee from the Dallas Zoo. Kendi has been recommended for breeding by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Program.

In late October, two 4-year-old male Baja blue rock lizards arrived in Milwaukee from the Los Angeles Zoo. Their names are Baja Blast and Baja Splash.

In November, two yellow-rumped caciques, one male and one female, arrived at the zoo’s aviary from the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. The birds, native to northern South America, have been recommended for breeding.