Elephants such as C'Sar, a resident of the N.C. Zoo, are social and free-ranging creatures that can travel up to 10 miles a day.

An advocate for captive elephants (click here)
Hillsborough woman works to improve conditions for big beasts
By Meredith Geldmeir, Correspondent
HILLSBOROUGH -- Suzanne Roy has a passion for protecting animals. In her home office, one of Roy's five cats, one she bottle-fed as a kitten, lazes in a sun patch. The dog wanders in for a back scratch.
But some of Roy's animal friends are not so furry and definitely too large for the house -- because Roy also has a passion for elephants.
She reaches for a pile of photographs on her desk showing two circus elephants, Tina and Jewel; Tina's leg is chained to a truck tire. Jewel's skull and spine are protruding after she lost 1,000 pounds, one-seventh of her body weight, before the U.S. Department of Agriculture forced the circus to take her off the road.
As program director for In Defense of Animals, an international animal-welfare organization, Roy campaigns to improve the conditions of elephants in zoos and circuses....

Zoos

McCartney campaigns to stop kangaroo cull
13/03/2008 - 1:18:07 PM
Paul McCartney has spoken out in disgust at Australia's plans to cull a large number of kangaroos.
The former Beatle has added his support to a campaign by Vegetarians International Voice for Animals (VIVA!), who are desperate to halt the proposed killing of 500 of the marsupials near the country's capital, Canberra.
The animals have been targeted to be culled after the Australian government issued reports stating their large numbers impacted heavily on other species in the area.
The 65-year-old rocker, who has been an avid campaigner for animal rights, says: "There is an urgent need for action to protect kangaroos from a barbaric industry which slaughters them for meat and leather."
VIVA! Have long fought a battle against the killing of kangaroos for meat exportation.
McCartney's latest comments come just after the release of a new People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) poster campaign in which he describes the moment he decided to become a vegetarian.

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/story.asp?j=249183406&p=z49y84yyz


A solemn farewell for Detroit Zoo gorilla
Catherine Jun / The Detroit News
ROYAL OAK -- The chimps and gorillas at the Detroit Zoo's ape exhibit were more subdued Wednesday, as if they could sense something had changed.
"It's apparent all the other animals know that something's off," zookeeper Lindsay Maess said.
What was off was what was missing: Sunshine, the hulking, 550-pound silverback gorilla who had become a favorite of zoogoers and staff over the last decade. After fighting a flulike illness for weeks, he died Tuesday.
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On Wednesday, staff members were awaiting test results to determine the cause of death. Some guess heart failure or possibly pneumonia.
And as is standard protocol, both primates and their human caregivers alike will be monitored for any cold or flu symptoms for the rest of the winter season.
"We take precautions when it comes to the safety of the staff and the safety of the animals," said Scott Carter, a zoo director.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080313/METRO/803130388/1409/METRO


Lincoln Park Zoo South Pond set for renovation
Water to be deeper, cleaner for wildlife
By Noreen S. Ahmed-Ullah Tribune reporter
March 13, 2008
Lincoln Park Zoo will pour almost $12 million into its historic South Pond next winter, in an effort to make the landmark cleaner, deeper and more inviting to wildlife and humans.
Officials said the renovation, approved by the Chicago Park District Board Wednesday, is scheduled to begin in October and finish in time for the paddleboat season in 2009.
"We want to restore it and make it a more natural environment," said Sharon Dewar, a zoo spokeswoman. "It's taking away the concrete and steel and making it a more natural environment that will be host to native wildlife."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/northwest/chi-zoo-pond_13mar13,0,537293.story


Zoo's rare tiger cub found dead
By Jamie Duncan
March 13, 2008 09:04pm
A RARE juvenile Sumatran tiger was found dead in a pool in its enclosure at Melbourne Zoo today.
The body of the five-month-old tiger, named Nakal, was found by his keepers in the pool in the enclosure he shared with his two siblings.
Zoos Victoria general curator Dan Maloney said it was unclear how Nakal died.
"We don't know at this point. We are trying to work it out,'' Mr Maloney said.
"He appears to have drowned in his exhibit pool, his habitat pool that he has played in many times.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23370803-5005961,00.html


Polk conservation board supports new zoo plan
By JASON PULLIAM
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
March 13, 2008
Backers of a plan to expand Blank Park Zoo and revive the south-side "superblock" scored their second victory in as many nights on Wednesday.
The Polk County Conservation Board voted 4-0 in support of a conceptual master plan for the superblock, framed between Southeast 14th Street, Southwest Ninth Street, Army Post Road and County Line Road. Board member Michelle McEnany was absent.
The board's support increases the likelihood that the current plan will be implemented after nearly two years of starts, stops and several scuttled plans. The plan also drew unanimous support from the Des Moines school board on Tuesday.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080313/NEWS05/803130413/-1/SPORTS0806


Bergerons welcome new zoo rules
Posted By Jeremy Ashley
Posted 22 hours ago
Owners of a local exotic animal sanctuary welcomed news of the Ontario government's plan to introduce new legislation aimed at imposing new rules for the province's 50 roadside zoos.
Joe and Pat Bergeron, who operate Bergerons' Exotic Animal Sanctuary on County Road 5 in Prince Edward County, are hopeful the new regulations will bring a new standard of care for animals at similar operations across the province.
"I know it's been coming, but it's been talked about for such a long time," said Pat Bergeron shortly before heading out to care for the dozens of animals at the site.
"As long as the health and happiness of the animals is front and centre, it should be a good thing."
The legislation, aimed at overhauling a 90-year-old law, is expected to set standards of care for small zoos and give the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals the right to inspect the operations. It is expected to be introduced this week after the provincial legislature resumes sitting.

http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=940563



Aching Zoo Resident Gets Alternative Medicine
Brazilian Tapir Moving Around Better Following Acupuncture
When San Antonio zookeepers noticed that George, a 38-year-old Brazilian tapir, seemed a bit sore and stiff, they decided to try traditional medicine.
But after the treatment didn’t seem to help George feel better, zoo officials decided to give an ancient remedy a try.
The zoo called on veterinarian Ben Espy, who had tried acupuncture on George in the past with success.
Anita Balan, a zoo supervisor recalled how well George responded to the ancient remedy.
“I got radio calls (saying), ‘Oh my gosh, there is something wrong. George is running around,’” Balan said. “So it obviously helps.”

http://tapirblog.tapirdesign.com/?p=56


Irwin zoo broke law 13 times - minister
By Rosemary Desmond
March 14, 2008 06:17pm
THE Irwin family's Australian Wildlife Hospital at Australia Zoo has breached environmental laws relating to koalas 13 times, the Queensland Government says.
Sustainability Minister Andrew McNamara said today he was concerned at repeated infringements by the Sunshine Coast-based hospital of regulations covering the release of injured koalas back into the wild.
Under Queensland environmental laws, koalas should be released into a location that is no more than 5km from the area where they were found, unless permission is granted for another location because there is no suitable environment within 5km.
"It is disappointing that an organisation held in such high regard has flouted regulations designed to protect the best interests of koalas in Queensland," Mr McNamara said.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23375040-5005961,00.html


Girl Falls Into Bear Exhibit at Zoo
15 hours ago
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Zoo officials in St. Louis say a young girl fell into a bear exhibit and received a minor head injury.
Zoo spokesman Wyndel Hill says the child is between the ages of 3 and 5. She had visited the zoo with her mother Wednesday, climbed on a rail and fell over into the exhibit.
Hill says neither of the two bears could have come in contact with the girl because of several security measures. They include a 6-foot-deep moat and a wall between the bears and the child.
The zoo plans to review security.
In 2004, one of the sun bears wounded a keeper in a separate part of the exhibit away from public view.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jOxVZcdp4PzuGBRyBdph_M4yLbLwD8VCNRFO0



2 New Penguins Make Zoo Debut
POSTED: 3:51 pm CDT March 13, 2008
UPDATED: 4:40 pm CDT March 13, 2008
OMAHA, Neb. -- There are a couple of new birds on ice at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo.
A king penguin and a macaroni penguin recently arrived from a rescue group in South Africa. When the two birds were found, zoo officials said, they were severely dehydrated and have since been nursed back to health.
There are already king penguins on display at the zoo's exhibit, but the zoo hopes to find a boyfriend for the female macaroni penguin.

http://www.ketv.com/entertainment/15587782/detail.html



Surprise! SF Zoo tiger had three babies, not one
By Linda Goldston
Article Launched: 03/13/2008 05:27:21 PM PDT
Make it triplets for Leanne the tiger.
Officials at the San Francisco Zoo had thought the Sumatran tiger gave birth to only one cub on March 6. But animal keepers were able to confirm this week that the 230-pound new mom had triplets.
"We're hoping in the next few days to conduct a physical exam," said Paul Garcia, zoo spokesman. "We might even see more."
Animal keepers and Jacqueline Jencek, chief zoo veterinarian, began to suspect there was more than one cub two days after Leanne gave birth. But Leanne had licked the video camera being used to monitor mom and the baby, limiting the view. And parts of the nesting box built for Leanne and her new babies are not visible from the camera.
"One of our keepers saw them when Leanne went out (of the nesting box) to get a drink of water," Garcia said. "She counted three."
Leanne and her cubs won't be disturbed for at least a few more days. And even then, Garcia said the cubs will not be gathered for a physical examination until the mother tiger steps out for food or a drink of water.
"We're kind of watching the routine Leanne is doing," he said. "Typically in the morning, she's getting up to eat and get water."

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_8563943?nclick_check=1



Rare North Island brown kiwi hatches at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
March 13, 2008 10:48 PM
Early Friday morning, March 7, one of the world’s most endangered species—a North Island brown kiwi—hatched at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo Bird House. Keepers had been incubating the egg for five weeks, following a month long incubation by the chick’s father, carefully monitoring it for signs of pipping: the process in which the chick starts to break through the shell. The chick remained in an isolet for four days and is now in a specially designed brooding box.
The box will be not be on exhibit, but will be accessible on Friday, March 14, by webcam on the Zoo’s Web site at http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Birds/Kiwi/default.cfm. Since kiwis are nocturnal, the best time to view the chick exploring and foraging in its box will be in the evening.
The sex of the chick is still unknown and is difficult to determine by sight. For this reason, Bird House staff enlisted the help of National Zoo geneticists. Using DNA samples swabbed from the inside of the egg and from the bird’s beak, the geneticists hope to decipher its sex in the coming weeks.

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2008/03/13/rare_north_island_brown_kiwi_hatches_at_the_smithsonians_national_zoo.html



Alan Alda at the N.C. Zoo
Posted on: March 13, 2008 11:28 PM, by Coturnix
He was here last Tuesday for filming of a scientific documentary for PBS:
He was doing important work on an upcoming PBS special "The Human Spark", a three-part documentary about what makes us human, due to air next year.
Alda, who also met with researchers at Duke University on Monday, started filming last week and said he will tape additional segments in France, England and South Africa, as well as in the Pacific Northwest. Duke primatologist Brian Hare suggested the NC Zoo as a shooting location, zoo spokesman Rod Hackney said.

http://scienceblogs.com/clock/2008/03/alan_alda_at_the_nc_zoo.php



Advisers to urge review of S.F. Zoo
Marisa Lagos, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, March 14, 2008
Nearly three months after a tiger escaped from its enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo and mauled a teenage boy to death, a city advisory commission will ask the Board of Supervisors to instigate a review of the facility's setup and exercise more control over the privately run zoo.
Some Animal Control and Welfare commissioners are worried that changes made at the zoo over the past couple of months only focused on public safety. They want the city to force the zoo to focus more on animal welfare "and less on the entertainment of humans," said Commissioner Christine Garcia.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/13/BAJPVJBJB.DTL


Oakland Zoo's expansion plans ruffling feathers
Residents upset about losing open space
By Momo Chang, STAFF WRITER
Article Created: 03/14/2008 02:32:22 AM PDT
OAKLAND — The Oakland Zoo is planning its first major expansion in nearly 50 years, hoping to push into 45 acres of Knowland Park, boost its annual visitors by 100,000 and add new animal exhibits, a veterinary hospital and a gondola ride.
The new exhibits are part of "California!," which will showcase the state's native plants and animals such as the grizzly bear, mountain lion, jaguar, wolf, eagle and California condor.
But some zoo neighbors aren't happy about the zoo's eastward expansion into Knowland Park. They don't want lose open space to the zoo, noting that the 525-acre Knowland Park is public land deeded to the city.
"We're not opposed to the zoo as an entity," said Jason Webster, a member of the grass-roots group Friends of Knowland Park, which wants to preserve the open space. "A majority of us respect the zoo. We're asking the zoo to restrict expansion."
About 50 residents met with Councilman Larry Reid, whose district includes the zoo, and zoo staff at a Feb. 28 community meeting to discuss the expansion. But it may be a moot point.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_8570274


World's smallest deer at Queens Zoo
The news to hit the Wildlife Conservation Society's Queens Zoo is the arrival of Josephine, the world's smallest deer and Napoleon's new mate.
Zookeepers say this imperial pair took a liking to each other almost immediately, forming a bond similar to that of their historic namesakes. While Napoleon Bonaparte shared passionate love letters with Josephine, the pudu share more practical things, such as trees for shelter and greens for food. Hopefully, this pint-sized pair, native to South America, not France, will make their own history at the Queens Zoo.

http://queenscrap.blogspot.com/2008/03/worlds-smallest-deer-at-queens-zoo.html


Zoo expansion plan renews plea to preserve tropical garden
By ERIC STAATS (Contact)
6:52 p.m., Saturday, March 8, 2008
In the 1920s, Henry Nehrling came to Naples, then an isolated outpost, and planted a tropical garden that made a mark on Florida horticulture that’s still revered today.
The 13-acre achievement _ what’s left of it _ sits on the northern edge of the Naples Zoo, which last month unveiled an expansion master plan that is raising concerns anew about the garden’s fate.
The land underneath the zoo, including the Nehrling tract, is publicly owned by Collier County government after voters approved a referendum in 2004 to tax themselves to save the historic attraction.
The zoo plan identifies Nehrling’s plantings with numbered circles spread through new exhibits for black bears and red wolves, a reef exhibit, a walk-through aviary and an elevated boardwalk through a canopy of trees.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/mar/08/zoo-expansion-plan-renews-plea-preserve-tropical-g/

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