Plus, Tampa Bay Design Week is in full swing.
 
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From our friends at WTSP

 
🥹 Prepare for the cuteness
A baby orangutan is being fed from a bottle. A blue-gloved, white-coated doctor is holding the animal in a blanket, and feeding it. Its dark eyes sit around orange-colored dark short hair.
The first supper. | Photo via Busch Gardens
The Tampa Bay area is renowned for its wildlife. Manatees, dolphins, gators, and pelicans are never too far away, and neither is an abundance of lush greenery. On top of our native cohabitants, we also share our home with the residents of our animal facilities.

Zoo Tampa and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay both recently announced a wave of new arrivals, additions, and even a few births.

Monkey business

Say hello to the Tampa Bay area’s youngest primate.

A Bornean orangutan was born at Busch Gardens a few days ago, on Saturday, April 13. Weighing just 3.4 lbs at birth, the not-yet-named baby was born via c-section. Her mother, Luna, is recovering from surgery, and the pair will be reunited once they are stabilized.

Bornean orangutans are classified as critically endangered, and the World Wildlife Foundation says their population is down over 50% over the past 60 years. WWF also says their habitats have been reduced by at least 55% over the last two decades.

Earlier this year, Busch Gardens also welcomed five new chimpanzees, bringing their troop up to seven.

A gif featuring four photos of the newborn orangutan. They are taken in the operating room, on bed rest, while being fed, and a closeup of the baby's hand.

Welcome to the world.

|

Photos by Zoo Tampa

A pygmy girl

Zoo Tampa recently celebrated the fifth pygmy hippo birth in its history. The unnamed female calf weighed ~10 lbs when the zoo posted this video on Friday, April 5, but could end up 60x heavier.

With ~2,000 estimated pygmy hippos left in the wild, the species is classified as endangered. The birth is part of the zoo’s commitment to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, which ensures threatened + endangered species’ survival.

If you want to see the new faces for yourself, grab tickets to Zoo Tampa, or Busch Gardens.
 
Asked
 
Which baby animal are you most excited to visit?
A. Busch Gardens’ Bornean orangutan
B. Zoo Tampa’s female pygmy hippo
C. Munah the Malayan tapir
D. The pair of Inca tern chicks
 
Events
 
Tuesday, April 16
  • “Dalí & the Impressionists: Monet, Renoir, Degas & More” | Tuesday, April 16-Sunday, April 28 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | The Dalí Museum, 1 Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg | $0-$29 | There’s less than two weeks left to see this special exhibit, featuring works from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
  • Rays vs. Angels | Tuesday, April 16-Friday, April 19 | Times vary | Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg | $10+ | The Cali boys have made the trip to the Trop — head down and show your support for our Rays.
  • Derek Hough: “Symphony Of Dance” | Tuesday, April 16 | 8 p.m. | Seminole Hard Rock, 5223 Orient Rd., Tampa | $155+ | Soak in a night of entertainment from the performer of “Dancing with the Stars” fame.
Wednesday, April 17
  • Paint ‘n Sip Party | Wednesday, April 17 | 6:30 p.m. | Par Bar, 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg | $43 | Create your own masterpiece while chowing down on a burger in the heart of the Burg.
Thursday, April 18
  • “Uncut Gems” | Thursday, April 18-Friday, April 19 | 7 p.m. | Screen Door: An Ybor City Microcinema, 1624 E. 7th Ave. #228, Tampa, Tampa | $11 | Catch a showing of the 2019 Adam Sandler flick about a fast-talking New York jeweler.
  • Girls Night Out | Thursday, April 18 | 7 p.m. | MiniLuxe Water Street Tampa, 1053 E. Cumberland Ave., Ste. 110, Tampa | $10 | Tow the besties to Water Street Tampa to enjoy a night of good vibes, good tunes, and 25% off retail and services.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
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News Notes
 
Real Estate
  • The Tampa Bay area is the best large metro in Florida to buy a starter home, according to Construction Coverage. Findings were reached using metrics like inventory + mortgage costs. The report says the median starter home costs ~$327,000, which could land you something like this. (WFLA)
Opening
  • A new breakfast spot is opening in Clearwater. Eggs Up Grill is set to open this summer at 1620 McMullen Booth Rd. in the Bayside Bridge Plaza. The chain offers classic breakfast eats like pancakes, omelets, steak + eggs, and more. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Pet
  • Older animals need love too. SPCA Tampa Bay is shining a light on Wiggle, a “sweet senior lady” who has been waiting for her forever home since November. The shelter offers perks for adopting older dogs, like water park tickets, free grooming, and doggy daycare visits.
Plan Ahead
  • Tampa is getting a new microcinema. T2 is set to open this summer at the Tampa Theatre with enough space for 40-50 people at a time. It will be located under the theater’s marquee, where The Nature Shop used to be. An official opening date has not been announced. (That’s So Tampa)
Trending
  • Speaking of babies, two Tampa Bay Buccaneers recently became fathers for the first time. Baker Mayfield and Tristan Wirfs are both nurturing little ones of their own, as shown in the team’s social media. Fire the cannons (quietly).
Outdoors
  • You shall not pass. A new pass has formed on Honeymoon Island, meaning water has split the island in two. Gulf water is currently flowing into the Intracoastal Waterway halfway up, meaning you can only walk the entire length of the island during low tide.
Number
  • $65 million. That’s the total amount of sales already garnered by Reflection: an 18-story condo tower being built near St. Pete’s Mirror Lake. The 88-unit tower is nearing completion at 777 3rd Ave. N., with prices starting in the $700,000s. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Festival
  • The St. Paul Festival returns to St. Pete’s Euclid neighborhood Thursday, April 18-Sunday, April 21. Entry to the 48th annual event outside St. Paul Catholic Church (1800 12th St. N.) is free, but rides, games, and eats will cost you. (I Love the Burg)
Sports
  • Mock NFL drafts are in full flow. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
    Edu
    Home
    • Lower your energy bills before summer. Renewal by Andersen® will replace old windows with beautiful, energy-efficient windows — get a free quote and shop a limited-time spring savings event.*
     
    TEGNA
     
    Culture
     
    Can I speak to the architect?
    A shot of buildings in downtown Tampa. The sun shines just above a high rise, and City Hall is just in front. The foreground has some greenery, with the buildings sat beneath clear blue skies.
    Tampa Bay Design Week features speakers, talks, walks, tours, and presentations. | Photo by TBAYtoday
    Get ready to look up. Launched in 2014, Tampa Bay Design Week is an opportunity to learn more about the structures which comprise our home. This year’s Design Week runs through Sunday, April 21 + is packed with activities and events.

    Here are a few of them:
    • On Wednesday, April 17, hop on a trolley tour through West Tampa, starting with a visit to the historic Berriman-Morgan Cigar Factory at 4 p.m. The tour will then stop at multiple sites in the area. Tickets are $35-$40.
    • The following day there’s a walking tour of Columbus Drive in V.M. Ybor. Find out how highway construction impacted the area’s vibrant culture, and grab a pastry from Elevenses. Tickets start at $20.
    • On Sunday, April 21, a behind-the-scenes tour of the St. Pete Pier rounds off the festivities, starting at $20.
    Check out the full list of Design Week events.
     
    The Buy
     
    This sleek outdoor side table that doubles as a cooler, perfect for the warmer days ahead. Pop the top off to reveal ice and your refreshing beverage of choice.
     
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    The Wrap
     
    Patrick Sidwell.jpeg Today’s edition by:
    Patrick
    From the editor
    If you’re looking for a new treat, two TBAY faves have got you covered. Mayday Ice Cream and Pete’s Bagels have teamed up to create a new ice cream masterpiece: The Salty Pete. The delight features cream cheese-infused ice cream, honey-soaked bagel pieces, and strawberry vanilla jam. Yes, please.
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