A Who’s Who of New Zoo Arrivals

It’s been a remarkably productive spring for zoos--or perhaps reproductive is a better word.

Lots of births.

Molloko, the newborn California condor chick and resident media star of the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, is the most notable of the bunch, having already achieved international recognition. Molloko (a Northern Maidu Indian word for condor), however, will not be on public view because San Diego Zoo’s authorities are trying to train the severely endangered bird to get along without humans. Also, it is the zoo’s policy not to exploit any of its “Condorminium” residents for profit.

But there is plenty to see at the zoo, one of the largest in the nation and renowned for its huge collection of unusual animals and for the beauty of its grounds.

Molloko aside, there are plenty of other new critters for Southland animal lovers to see. The small but attractive Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary, has some new additions. A pair of Asian small-clawed otters became parents in February, followed by South American Goeldi monkeys in April and Palawan peacock pheasants earlier this month. The kids are all doing fine.

The Los Angeles Zoo also has been hearing the pitter-patter of little feet. Among the new additions, reports spokeswoman Deborah Ullman Pollack, are a Nubian ibex, chamois, Markhor goat antelope, Arabian oryx, nyalas, Dall sheep, Rocky Mountain goats, desert bighorn, koalas, yellow-footed rock wallabies (small relatives of the kangaroo, but not to be confused with wallaroos), red-ruffed lemurs, ring-tailed lemurs, Celebes crested macaques, Grevy’s zebras and Central American tapirs.

In addition to this impressive list, a number of new residents on loan or acquired from other institutions will be on view. These include gorilla, wolves, sloths, hedgehogs and Chilean flamingos.

San Diego’s Sea World has experienced a veritable baby boom this year, especially among the penguin population. Over 150 king penguin chicks have hatched in its newest exhibit, the Penguin Quarantine Nursery, which opened to the public in March as part of a 25th anniversary celebration.

Early this summer the matured chicks will be moved to the Penguin Encounter exhibit, a replicated Antarctic home to more than 400 penguins.

A male white pelican has been added to Sea World’s menagerie--a pelican from Big Bear Lake, no less. The migrating bird injured its wing last winter at the mountain resort and was rescued just before Christmas by Tim Krantz, president of the Big Bear Valley Friends of the Preserve. The bird was transferred to Sea World early this year to join two other white pelican residents.

Sea World has also been breeding rare nene (pronounced “nay-nay”) geese. A native of Hawaii, and the Hawaiian state bird, the nene’s numbers were almost decimated with the introduction of the mongoose to the Islands early this century. Brought in to control the rat population, the mongoose developed quite a taste for nene chicks too. Human hunting also contributed to the goose’s decline.

But under a formal breeding program begun a decade ago by Frank S. Todd, the park’s vice president of aviculture, more than 300 nenes have been hatched and reared to date.

Of all the animals born this year, easily the largest is mythical. Bigfoot at Knott’s Berry Farm’s new $10-million Wild Water Wilderness area. But then, this Bigfoot is not a gigantic hairy critter but a new ride at the amusement park--a white water rapids ride, to be exact. Participants are guaranteed to get at least a little bit wet, and a lot thrilled. It is rumored that Bigfoot frequents the shores of the watercourse, but as yet no sightings have been reported.

The San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park is located off Park Boulevard in Balboa Park. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily. Admission: 16 and over, $8.50; 3-15, $2.50 ; under 3 , free. Servicemen in uniform, free. Information: (619) 231-1515 .

The Santa Barbara Zoo is located at 500 Ninos Drive, Santa Barbara. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily. Admission: adults, $4; children 2-12, $2. Information: (805) 962-6310 .

The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park, at 5333 Zoo Drive (junction of interstates 5 & 134). Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. , daily. Admission: adults, 13-over, $4.50; 2-12, $2; senior citizens, $3.50 . Information: (213) 666-4090 .

Sea World Inc. is off the San Diego Freeway at 1720 S . Shores Road, Mission Bay, San Diego. Hours: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Sept. 5. Admission: Adults $19.95; children ages 3-11 , $14.95; under 3 free. Information: San Diego, (619) 226-3901; Los Angeles , (714) 826-7213.

Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park . Hours: Sunday - Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Admission: Adults, $17.95; children ages 3-11, $13.95 Information: (714) 220-5220.