new & now
A NEW ORYX JOINS THE BATON ROUGE ZOO The Baton Rouge Zoo welcomed a new Scimitar-horned oryx calf, adding to a busy season of hoof stock births that also included two bison calves and two Nubian ibex kids. Native to North Africa, the Scimitar-horned oryx was declared extinct in the wild in 2000 before captive- breeding programs helped reintroduce the species to its natural habitat. The zoo’s small herd now has a welcome new addition. For the first few weeks, visitors may spot the calf hiding in the grass or plants or venturing out to nurse. Zoo staff are still determining its gender and name. ■ brzoo.org/animals
NEW PARTNERSHIPS SUPPORT BATON ROUGE FAMILIES Several new partnerships were announced in Baton Rouge to support local families through health, recreation, and public safety initiatives. FMOL Health committed $500,000 to the Louisiana Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Foundation and will provide onsite community health resources at the Inspiration Center. LECJF, BREC, National PAL, and NFL FLAG also partnered to expand access to youth flag football across East Baton Rouge Parish, with BREC providing fields and facilities. In addition, BREC and local law enforcement agencies strengthened their partnership to support safer, well-maintained parks and recreation spaces. NFL FLAG registration is open now, with the inaugural season beginning in January. ■ lecjf.org, brec.org, nflflag.com, or fmolhs.org
SCOTLANDVILLE LIBRARY RE- OPENED AFTER RENOVATION The Scotlandville Branch Library reopened following a major renovation and expansion that added more than 6,000 square feet to the building. The updated branch now features an expanded Children’s Room with interactive technology and tactile learning opportunities, a dedicated teen space, additional study and collaborative areas, a Makerspace, and an expanded meeting room. Families can also explore the renovated Black Heritage area, which houses the library’s Black history collection and exhibits. The $24 million Pay-As-You-Go Capital Improvements project was completed in two phases beginning in 2023. A formal Re-Dedication Ceremony was held in October. ■ ebrpl.com
WHOLE HEART PANTRY OPENS IN DENHAM SPRINGS Whole Heart Health installed a new Whole Heart Pantry at VFW Auxiliary Post 7017, expanding access to food and nutrition education. The pantries provide shelf-stable meals along with simple recipes, helping families turn pantry staples into flavorful dishes. Founder and Executive Director Whitney Andrus says the goal is to provide “dinner with dignity” while showing that balanced eating can be accessible to everyone. The new pantry joins their growing network of locations throughout Greater Baton Rouge. ■ wholeheart.health/pantries
8 NOVEMBER 2026 | BRPARENTS.COM
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