City of San Jose, CA
12/01/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/01/2022 13:10
NEWS RELEASE: It’s Kind of a Pig Deal! Happy Hollow Park & Zoo Welcomes Endangered Chacoan Peccaries
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Caitlin O'Hara, Conservation & Communications Manager, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
408-838-2859, [email protected]
Photos available online.
Note: Happy Hollow Park & Zoo does not allow unscheduled media visits inside the facility. Due to the great amount of time required by the care of our zoo animals, all animal care staff interviews must be scheduled in advance.
"Adding this endangered species to Happy Hollow strengthens our commitment to the conservation of species that need our help while allowing zoo visitors the opportunity to connect with an animal they might not otherwise get the chance to see in person," said Amber Rindy, Happy Hollow Zoo Manager.
Chacoan peccaries, also known as tagua in Paraguay, were once thought to be extinct and known only from fossil remains. In 1975, living individuals of this species were found in the Gran Chaco area of South America, a region that includes parts of Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina. Animals living in this area face threats of habitat destruction from agriculture, ranching, hunting, and invasive species.
Chacoan peccaries are part of an Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, which coordinates the placement of individual members of the species at zoos and sanctuaries nationwide and ensures that breeding activity supports the genetic health and long-term viability of the species.
At first glance, peccaries appear similar to pigs but are a distinct type of animal with unique physical features. Pig teeth grow out and up into their characteristic tusks, while peccary teeth stay shorter and straight. Pig ears are large and pointed while peccary ears are small and rounded. Similarly, pig tails are larger and more conspicuous, and peccary tails are small and inconsequential.
The peccaries will live in the newly renovated Chacoan peccary habitat. The former collared peccary and Parrot Island habitats in the Zoo in the Hollow, the lower section of the park and zoo, were combined and renovated to create a space nearly twice as large as the original habitat that can safely and comfortably house more animals and allow for potential breeding in the future. While Happy Hollow will initially house a male-only cohort, the new habitat includes two animal shelters and three separate yards to allow for the possibility of breeding in the future.
The current operating hours of the park and zoo are Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. From December 19, 2022 through the end of the year, operating hours will be extended to include Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Hollow will close at 2 p.m. on December 24, 2022 and will be closed on December 25, 2022. Plan your visit at happyhollow.org.
About the City of San José
With more than one million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States and is Northern California's largest city and the 10th largest city in the nation. San José's transformation into a global innovation center has resulted in one of the largest concentrations of technology companies and expertise in the world. In 2011, the City adopted Envision San José 2040, a long-term growth plan that sets forth a vision and a comprehensive road map to guide the City's anticipated growth through the year 2040.
About Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo has provided outdoor play to the Bay Area since 1961. Happy Hollow is a facility of the San José Department of Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services, and is supported by the Happy Hollow Foundation. The mission of Happy Hollow is connecting people to nature through play. Happy Hollow features a unique combination of family rides and amusements, a Puppet Castle Theater, nature themed play areas, special events for all seasons, an Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoo, and a zoo education and wildlife conservation program with classes and camps for all ages. Happy Hollow also offers annual memberships for families and individuals. www.happyhollow.org.
About Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services
The City of San José Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) oversees 10 regional parks, 199 neighborhood parks, 290 park playgrounds, 48 community centers, and 62 miles of trails. It has one of the most diverse service models of any agency of its type. ActivateSJ, PRNS' latest strategic work plan, is committed to establishing healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity and public life. For more information, please visit activatesj.org.
CONTACT
Caitlin O'Hara, Conservation & Communications Manager, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
408-838-2859, [email protected]
Photos available online.
Note: Happy Hollow Park & Zoo does not allow unscheduled media visits inside the facility. Due to the great amount of time required by the care of our zoo animals, all animal care staff interviews must be scheduled in advance.
It's Kind of a Pig Deal! Happy Hollow Park & Zoo Welcomes Endangered Chacoan Peccaries
The four males represent a new species for the zoo and move into a newly renovated and expanded habitat
"Adding this endangered species to Happy Hollow strengthens our commitment to the conservation of species that need our help while allowing zoo visitors the opportunity to connect with an animal they might not otherwise get the chance to see in person," said Amber Rindy, Happy Hollow Zoo Manager.
Chacoan peccaries, also known as tagua in Paraguay, were once thought to be extinct and known only from fossil remains. In 1975, living individuals of this species were found in the Gran Chaco area of South America, a region that includes parts of Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina. Animals living in this area face threats of habitat destruction from agriculture, ranching, hunting, and invasive species.
Chacoan peccaries are part of an Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, which coordinates the placement of individual members of the species at zoos and sanctuaries nationwide and ensures that breeding activity supports the genetic health and long-term viability of the species.
At first glance, peccaries appear similar to pigs but are a distinct type of animal with unique physical features. Pig teeth grow out and up into their characteristic tusks, while peccary teeth stay shorter and straight. Pig ears are large and pointed while peccary ears are small and rounded. Similarly, pig tails are larger and more conspicuous, and peccary tails are small and inconsequential.
The peccaries will live in the newly renovated Chacoan peccary habitat. The former collared peccary and Parrot Island habitats in the Zoo in the Hollow, the lower section of the park and zoo, were combined and renovated to create a space nearly twice as large as the original habitat that can safely and comfortably house more animals and allow for potential breeding in the future. While Happy Hollow will initially house a male-only cohort, the new habitat includes two animal shelters and three separate yards to allow for the possibility of breeding in the future.
The current operating hours of the park and zoo are Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. From December 19, 2022 through the end of the year, operating hours will be extended to include Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Hollow will close at 2 p.m. on December 24, 2022 and will be closed on December 25, 2022. Plan your visit at happyhollow.org.
About the City of San José
With more than one million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States and is Northern California's largest city and the 10th largest city in the nation. San José's transformation into a global innovation center has resulted in one of the largest concentrations of technology companies and expertise in the world. In 2011, the City adopted Envision San José 2040, a long-term growth plan that sets forth a vision and a comprehensive road map to guide the City's anticipated growth through the year 2040.
About Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo has provided outdoor play to the Bay Area since 1961. Happy Hollow is a facility of the San José Department of Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services, and is supported by the Happy Hollow Foundation. The mission of Happy Hollow is connecting people to nature through play. Happy Hollow features a unique combination of family rides and amusements, a Puppet Castle Theater, nature themed play areas, special events for all seasons, an Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoo, and a zoo education and wildlife conservation program with classes and camps for all ages. Happy Hollow also offers annual memberships for families and individuals. www.happyhollow.org.
About Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services
The City of San José Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) oversees 10 regional parks, 199 neighborhood parks, 290 park playgrounds, 48 community centers, and 62 miles of trails. It has one of the most diverse service models of any agency of its type. ActivateSJ, PRNS' latest strategic work plan, is committed to establishing healthy communities that inspire belonging by following the guiding principles of stewardship, nature, equity & access, identity and public life. For more information, please visit activatesj.org.
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