Puggle party.

Magical news for monotremes. Earlier this year, the Safari Park welcomed two tiny short-beaked echidna puggles nicknamed OJ and PJ. After hatching from leathery, grape-sized eggs, these magical monotremes spent around 60 days in their mothers’ pouches until wildlife care specialists noticed their tiny feet make an appearance while monitoring them via remote cameras. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for short-beaked echidnas. Through the SSP, AZA manages the population of about 30 short-beaked echidnas in zoological institutions across the US. It is somewhat uncommon for short-beaked echidnas to hatch at zoos, making PJ and OJ’s arrival extra special. Learn more: