Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month: Honoring Wildlife from Across Asia and the Pacific

Komodo by Karen Caster

LITTLE ROCK (May 22, 2025) – Each May, we recognize Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month—a time to honor the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of communities across Asia and the Pacific Islands. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to highlight the remarkable wildlife from these regions—many of which can be seen right here at the Little Rock Zoo.

As a conservation-focused organization, we believe protecting wildlife starts with understanding where animals come from and how they connect with people and place. Across Asia and the Pacific, many communities have long histories of living in harmony with native wildlife. These relationships reflect deep respect for nature, and they inspire us in our mission to protect endangered species and the ecosystems they depend on.

This month, we’re shining a spotlight on just a few of the incredible animals from Asia and the Pacific that call the Little Rock Zoo home. From swinging siamangs to powerful Komodo dragons, these animals tell the story of some of the world’s most biodiverse and culturally rich regions—and remind us why global conservation efforts matter.

Asian Elephants

The Little Rock Zoo has a proud history of caring for Asian elephants, one of the most beloved and iconic species in our care. Native to India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and parts of Southeast Asia, Asian Elephants are endangered due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. In their native forests, elephants play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity by dispersing seeds and shaping landscapes.

At the Zoo, our elephants serve as powerful ambassadors for their wild counterparts, helping guests understand the challenges these animals face—and how we can all contribute to their survival.

Orangutans

Our orangutan family represents the Bornean orangutan, one of the world’s most endangered great apes. Native to the lush rainforests of Borneo, these intelligent primates are known for their striking reddish-brown hair and arboreal lifestyles—spending nearly their entire lives in the treetops.

Orangutans are critically endangered due to deforestation, illegal logging, and the palm oil industry. At the Zoo, they help raise awareness about rainforest conservation and the urgent need to protect their vanishing habitats.

Malayan Tigers

The Malayan tiger is one of the rarest and most endangered tiger subspecies, and are native to the forests of the Malay Peninsula and southern Thailand. These elusive predators are admired for their distinctive stripes, powerful build, and vital role as top carnivores in their ecosystems. Poaching and habitat fragmentation have pushed them to the brink, with a few hundred individuals left in their natural range. The Little Rock Zoo is proud to be home to two young female Malayan tigers, Sundari and Kae, born here in August 2022.

Sloth Bear

Sloth bears, native to the Indian subcontinent, are vital to the ecosystems they inhabit. Known for their shaggy coats and long, curved claws, they are natural insect controllers and seed dispersers, helping to sustain healthy forest environments.Despite their ecological importance, sloth bears are listed as vulnerable due to habitat destruction, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching. The Little Rock Zoo is proud to care for this unique species and support efforts to protect their wild populations through education and conservation initiatives.

Komodo Dragon

Native only to a few remote Indonesian islands, the Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard on Earth. Growing up to 10 feet long, these powerful reptiles are apex predators that use strength, stealth, and a venomous bite to hunt.Although they resemble something out of prehistory, Komodo dragons face very modern threats—habitat loss, climate change, and human activity.

Siamang

Often the first voice you hear as you enter the Zoo, the siamang is the largest species of gibbon and a guest favorite. Native to the rainforests of Malaysia, Thailand, and Sumatra, siamangs are masters of movement, swinging with ease through the forest canopy using their long arms.Their loud, echoing calls—created using a throat sac that acts like a resonating chamber—can be heard for miles. Unfortunately, siamangs are endangered due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade. At the Little Rock Zoo, our siamangs help educate guests about the importance of preserving Southeast Asia’s rainforests and primates.

Visit and Celebrate with Us

This AAPI Heritage Month, we invite you to celebrate the animals of Asia and the Pacific—and the cultures that have helped protect them for generations. By visiting the Zoo, you support our mission to care for wildlife and preserve the habitats they depend on.

Come explore, learn, and discover the deep connections between animals, people, and the planet we all share.

Plan your visit today and help us celebrate the diversity of life—both human and animal—at the Little Rock Zoo.

Photo Credits: Karen Caster.