Nashville, TN – Nashville Zoo is excited to announce the birth of a male spotted fanaloka pup born on March 10th, 2024. The male pup was born weighing in at 106 grams (about ¼ of a pound) and is being hand-reared by the Zoo’s veterinary staff. The pup is visible from the Zoo’s Veterinary Center neonatal care rooms.
According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) database, Nashville Zoo is the only facility in the United States to house and represent this elusive species. With the birth of the pup, Nashville Zoo now has five spotted fanaloka in its care.
In the spring of 2022, the Zoo welcomed Pépite, the first fanaloka born at Nashville Zoo and one of the first ever born in the United States. Pépite’s birth made headlines, and he is now an animal ambassador participating in educational programming to help raise awareness for this lesser-known species.
Nashville Zoo is involved in the conservation of this species in its native range by financially contributing to Antogil Conservation, an organization working to protect rainforests of Madagascar by raising awareness about the importance of nature and setting up development actions to improve living conditions of local communities.
Fanaloka (Fossa fossana) are native to the lowland and rainforest areas of Madagascar and listed as vulnerable according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature due to habitat destruction. This small nocturnal species is considered the second-largest endemic predator in Madagascar. The fanaloka’s diet includes small mammals, reptiles, aquatic animals, bird eggs and insects.
To learn more about spotted fanaloka and Nashville Zoo’s conservation efforts, visit nashvillezoo.org/conservation.
About Nashville Zoo
Nashville Zoo is a nonprofit organization and an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, exemplifying the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. The Zoo is actively engaged in conservation research, habitat protection, breeding programs, and education initiatives in our backyard as well as around the world.
With support from the Nashville community, donors, and sponsors, the Zoo is ranked the number one tourist attraction in Middle Tennessee and welcomes more than 1.4 million guests annually. Nashville Zoo is located at 3777 Nolensville Pike just six miles south of downtown.
For more information about Nashville Zoo, visit nashvillezoo.org.
