Animals

Kingsbridge Heights Six-Year-Old Sees Wish Come True with New Yorkie

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
  The first thing 6-year-old Camilia Vanderhorst wants people to know about her new Yorkie puppy is its name. “I’ll call him Coco, [not Coco Melon]” she insisted softly as she addressed the media gathered in front of her home in the Kingsbridge Heights section of the Bronx on Nov. 10. Asked what was the first thing she planned to do with her new pet, the shy 6-year-old said, “We can play fetch.”   While the origin of Coco’s name was unclear, what was obvious was Camilia’s joy at seeing her wish for a new puppy come true. She received


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“Coquerel’s Sifaka” Baby Born at Bronx Zoo Makes Public Debut

By SÍLE MOLONEY
A “coquerel’s sifaka” baby (propithecus coquereli), born at the Bronx Zoo, has made its public debut. According to Bronx Zoo officials, the birth is the result of the hard work and husbandry expertise of the zoo’s keepers and will be featured on this week’s episode of Animal Planet’s THE ZOO. The story follows the adult sifakas as they are introduced for the first time in hopes that they will eventually mate. The baby is a male and was born over the summer.   The Bronx Zoo breeds sifakas as part of its Species Survival Plan (SSP) program, a cooperative breeding


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Fordham Manor: 25-Year-Old Man Arrested following Dispute & Shooting

By DAVID GREENE
A 25-year-old man has been arrested following a shooting in Fordham Manor.   On Tuesday, Nov. 2, at approximately 9.09 a.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding two men who had been shot in the vicinity of East 194th Street and Marion Avenue in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx, located in the 52nd precinct.   Upon arrival, officers observed two men with sustained gunshot wounds: a 25-year-old who was shot in the right leg and a 28-year-old who was shot in the right hand. The incident arose following a dispute which broke out at the location. A


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Bronx DA: Bronx Woman Charged with Defrauding People with Affordable Housing Never Delivered

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Monday, Nov. 15, that a Bronx woman was indicted on charges of grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property and additional charges for taking thousands of dollars in deposits for rent-stabilized apartments she did not deliver.   Clark said, “The defendant allegedly took deposits from people seeking housing, and never delivered a key and finalized lease. Our investigation found she allegedly threatened several prospective tenants by saying she would call immigration authorities to have them deported.” She added, “It is believed she preyed on dozens of other people, and we are asking


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UPDATE Death of Woman inside Fordham Heights Apartment Classified as Homicide

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Police have classified the death of a 29-year-old woman in a Fordham Heights apartment on Nov. 13 as a homicide.   As reported, on Saturday, Nov. 13, at approximately 5.49 p.m., police responded to a call for a wellness check inside an apartment at 2390 Creston Avenue, in Fordham Heights, located in the 46th precinct.   Upon arrival, officers observed a woman and a man, unconscious and unresponsive inside the location. EMS responded and pronounced both victims deceased at the scene.   No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.  The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of


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Storm Prediction Center Issues “Severe Thunderstorm Watch” for New York until 2.30 p.m. Nov. 13

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The National Weather Service (NWS) storm predictor center issued a severe thunderstorm watch on Saturday, Nov. 13, at 12:24 p.m., which is effective immediately and remains in effect until 2.30 p.m. (Nov. 13). It was initially predicted to last until 7 p.m. but was later changed to end at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday.    The description of a “severe thunderstorm watch 549” was provided for the New York State counties of Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester.  Notify NYC also issued a citywide alert regarding the storm, giving tips on how to


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UPDATE Woman Trespasses on Bronx Zoo Property inside Lion’s Den

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance locating the woman seen in the attached photo who is sought for trespassing in the Bronx Zoo, located in the 52nd precinct.   On Thursday, Nov. 11, at approximately 3.40 p.m., the woman entered the fenced lion exhibit inside the Zoo, located at 2300 Southern Boulevard. She then exited the exhibit and fled to parts unknown. She is identified as Mayh Autry, 32.   Photos are attached.   It’s not the first time that Autry has trespassed in the Zoo. Gothamist reported that she carried out a similar stunt in 2019. In a


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Animal Planet’s “The Zoo” Series Returns for a 5th Season, Chronicling Activities at Bronx Zoo

By SÍLE MOLONEY
In an all-new season, “The Zoo,” returns to the Animal Planet network for Season 5, kicking off with a special, two-hour premiere on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 8 p.m., Season 5 dives back into what is described by Bronx Zoo officials as the hard work and heartwarming moments of daily life at the Bronx Zoo’s 265-acre campus and its sister parks across New York City. The series showcases more stories of the animals and staff who care for them.   Throughout Season 5, audiences will learn about the zoo’s work, described as groundbreaking, in animal care and welfare, conservation, and


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Bronx Zoo Helps Coordinate Transfer of Pet Cougar Living in New York City Home to Arkansas Sanctuary

By SÍLE MOLONEY
An 11-month-old, approximately 80-pound, female cougar was removed from a New York City home on Thursday, Aug. 26. in coordination with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the Bronx Zoo.   The HSUS was on scene with the owner who surrendered the cougar to the authorities. The NYSDEC and NYPD worked to coordinate the safe removal of the big cat from the home and transported her to the Bronx Zoo where she was cared for by veterinarians and animal care staff over the


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