Near Threatened

A species achieves Near Threatened status it is likely to become endangered in the near future. Hemker Park & Zoo holds the following Near Threatened species.

Poison Dart Frogs

Poison frogs are tiny, terrestrial, diurnal frogs that live primarily in leaf litter on the forest floor, but some species live high in the forest canopy and may never come down. All are native to warm Central and South American rain forests near streams or ponds. The frogs’ poison is found in their skin, making them too toxic to touch. 

Patagonia Cavy

The Patagonian cavy, also known as the Patagonia mara, is a relatively large rodent.

This herbivorous, somewhat rabbit-like animal is found in open and semi-open habitats in Argentina, including large parts of Patagonia.

It is monogamous, but often breeds in warrens that are shared by several pairs.

The Patagonian cavy resembles a jackrabbit. It has distinctive long ears and long limbs. Its hind limbs are longer and more muscular than its forelimbs and it has a longer radius than humerus.

Rheas

Rheas are large, flightless birds with grey-brown plumage, long legs and long necks, similar to an ostrich. Large males of R. americana can reach 67 in tall at the head, 39 in at the back and can weigh up to 88 lbs.

Their wings are large for a flightless bird at 8.2 ft and are spread while running, to act like sails.

Ring-Tail Lemur

The ring-tailed lemur is a large primate most recognized due to its long, black and white ringed tail.

Like all lemurs it is endemic to the island of Madagascar where it inhabits gallery forests in the southern regions of the island. It is omnivorous and the most terrestrial of lemurs.

The animal is diurnal, being active exclusively in daylight hours.

The ring-tailed lemur is highly social, living in groups of up to 30 individuals. It is also female dominant, a trait common among lemurs. To keep warm and reaffirm social bonds, groups will huddle together.

Flamingo

Flamingos are very social birds; they live in colonies whose population can number in the thousands.

These large colonies are believed to serve three purposes for the flamingos: avoiding predators, maximizing food intake, and using scarce suitable nesting sites more efficiently.

Greater Kudu

Greater Kudus come from the savannas.

They have to rely on thickets for protection, so they are rarely seen in the open. Their drab brown and striped pelts help to camouflage them in scrub environments.

Like many other antelope, male kudus can be found in bachelor groups, but they are more likely to be solitary. Their dominance displays tend not to last long and are generally fairly peaceful, consisting of one male making himself look big by making his hair stand on end.