78,000 Origami Elephants Invade the Bronx Zoo

By Tia Ghose, Senior Writer | November 17, 2016 02:34pm ET

The Bronx Zoo has been taken over by a horde of adorable animals of an entirely new species — call it Elephas origami.

The zoo, run by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), has officially amassed the largest display collection of origami elephants in the world, earning it a spot in the Guinness World Records. The official tally of 78,564 more than doubles the last record holder, the Zoological Society of London/Whipsnade Zoo in Great Britain, which displayed a paltry 33,764 origami elephants in 2014.

Expert folders from 40 countries around the world — including Iran, Kazakhstan and Egypt — sent in 204,481 specimens. One set of elephants was even sent by a 109-year-old woman.

"WCS's Bronx Zoo received these gems of folded paper from all over the world and assembled them into this gorgeous display as a simple gesture that sends a powerful message to the world that we are standing together to save these majestic animals," John Calvelli, WCS' executive vice president for public affairs, said in a statement.

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Very Rare Turtles Hatch in NYC

The Wildlife Conservation Society's (WCS) Bronx Zoo in New York has welcomed five extremely rare Chinese yellow-headed box turtles.

The hatching marks a significant population boost for the species, since there are only estimated to be 150 left in the wild. Chinese yellow-headed box turtles once flourished in streams in parts of eastern China, but have been pushed to the brink of extinction by human consumption, use in traditional medicine, habitat loss and the pet trade, according to the WCS.

Zoo officials say they had to set the mood to get the rare turtles to breed, which involved creating specific environmental and climate conditions.

Continued:  http://www.livescience.com/25621-very-rare-turtles-hatch-in-nyc.html

Time to name that snake - Cobra from BX Zoo (Via HerpDigest)

Time to name that snake - Cobra from BX Zoo

By Jaya Saxena in News on April 2, 2011

When you start pulling April Fools jokes with Ryan Seacrest it's definitely a sign your 15 minutes are almost up, but the Bronx Zoo's cobra isn't going down without a fight! Or at least a name. As we noted last week, the Egyptian cobra that went missing within the Reptile House doesn't have a name, and apparently our nickname of "Everyone's Nightmare" didn't catch on, so the Bronx Zoo is running a naming contest with the Daily News.

John Sellers already suggested "Hissy Elliot," but the BronxZoosCobra Twitter thinks it should stay just that. The zoo is accepting submissions until 1 p.m. on Monday, and will announce the winner next Thursday. As for the snake's next fame grab, we're expecting a record deal featuring a hit cover of "Walk Like an Egyptian" before Hissy is busted for coke possession, lashes out at the paparazzi, and then stages a comeback charity concert for trapped reptiles everywhere.