New Animals on Exhibit at Legendary Rhode Island Zoo

School is ending all across the area and parents are trying to fill those summer days with fun.

So what better time to have new animals on exhibit at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence.

Several new animals have joined the over 800 that already call Roger Williams Park Zoo home and now you can finally see them in their natural settings inside this world class zoo.

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We told you about the addition of their seven-year-old serval Velma last spring.

In April of 2023, Velma was adopted from a facility in California that was closing, but an exhibit for her didn't exist yet.

The zoo called upon visitors to help fund the construction of a home for Velma and animal lovers stepped up big time.

For months a new facility for Velma to call home has been in the works in the zoo's Fabric of Africa section and finally that work is complete. Velma is officially on exhibit for guests to greet after nearly a year of living out of sight at the zoo.

Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village via Facebook

Similarly, the zoo's newest giraffe, Enzi, is finally able to greet the public as well.

Several months ago, a young male giraffe was brought to Roger Williams Park Zoo from the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston.

Born last July at this nearby New England zoo, Enzi was brought to Providence to join Roger Williams Park Zoo's two female giraffes and hopefully continue the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for giraffes.

Courtesy of Roger Williams Park Zoo

Masai giraffes, like Enzi, Cora and Providence, are classified as endangered after seeing a 50% population decrease over the last 30 years.

Programs like the SSP can help maintain robust, genetically diverse populations of threatened and endangered species, like the Masai giraffe.

Enzi has waited a few months off exhibit at the zoo undergoing medical observation and required quarantine time, but here on World Giraffe Week, officially joins Roger Williams Park Zoo's herd.

Guests can now see both amazing new animals whenever they visit Providence's premier zoo.

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20 Things To See at Roger Williams Park (Other Than the Zoo)

There are over 427 acres of beautiful landscaping, historical buildings and family friendly spaces at Roger Williams Park in Providence. Gifted to the city in 1872 by the last descendant of Roger Williams, Betsey Williams, the park has become primarily known for its amazing zoo. But throughout this historic district listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, there are plenty of other stunning things to see.

Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall

Filed Under: Boston, Franklin Park Zoo, giraffe, Masai, providence, Roger Williams Park Zoo

Categories: Animals, Local Stuff