The stimulus package is not meant to increase American's past time, so much as increase employment opportunity with a focus in changing the American infrastructure regarding Climate Change, the nation's health and new technologies.
Zoos have been an important venue to educating the public about Climate Change and Human Induced Global Warming in the 'void' of any mention during eight oppressive years of environmental awareness. To be completely fair.
Endangered primate gives birth to triplets in Michigan City (click here)
Posted: 10:41 PM Mar 19, 2009Last Updated: 10:41 PM Mar 19, 2009
First a woman made big news for having octuplets, and now a monkey is making news for having triplets.
It might not seem as big a deal as eight, but for cotton-top tamarins, triplets are very rare.
They were born at the Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City a few weeks ago.
It's hard to see them in the video linked at the top of this story, but the newborns are holding onto their parent's back.
Usually, this type of monkey gives birth to twins once a year.
Cotton-top tamarins are one of the most endangered primates in the world.
3/14/2009 11:00:00 AM
Tamarins born recently at zoo (click here)
Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - Triplet cotton top tamarins born two weeks ago at the Washington Park Zoo have brought the local family to nine members.
Jamie Huss, zoo assistant director and primate keeper, is giving special attention to baby Chloe, who was found lying on the floor and basically ignored by her mother, who was busy caring for the other two babies. Huss initially thought Chloe wouldn't stay alive. She's been feeding Chloe with an eye dropper every few hours."She's getting over pneumonia," Huss said, "and is on antibiotics." Just like a human baby, Chloe has a vaporizer and heating pad to help her get better, and is kept in a glassed-in portable nursery. Huss said Chloe was born full-term and weighs only one-tenth of a pound. She is 6 inches long and has a 6-inch tail. Adults weigh up to 1 1/2 pounds and grow to only 8 inches. The birth of triplet cotton top tamarins is unusual, according to zoo director Johnnie Martinez. He waited for a few weeks before announcing the birth, to make sure Chloe was healthy.
Martinez said the cotton top tamarins are an endangered species of mini-primates found only in northern Columbia in South America. The total world population is an estimated 2,000 to 3,000.In the zoo, the cotton top tamarins eat fruits and vegetables, monkey biscuits, meal worms and marmoset diet. They have only one female and one male who reproduce and the entire family helps with the young, carrying infants on their backs. Until she can be reintroduced to her family, Chloe is clinging on to a stuffed teddy bear.
Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.
Zoos and aquariums questioning stimulus bar (click here)
WILLIAM MULLEN CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Published: March 14, 2009
CHICAGO - Long counted as cultural, educational and economic treasures in their communities, American zoos and aquariums were more than a little upset when the $787 billion economic stimulus package signed into law recently expressly denied them any of the money.
"None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this Act may be used by any State or local government, or any private entity, for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, or swimming pool," the legislation states.
Being lumped in with casinos and golf courses on a scale of civic merit was insult added to injury. At a time when philanthropic giving is shrinking along with the economy, being denied a source of funding hurts.
"Zoos and aquariums don't belong on that list," said Steve Feldman, spokesman for the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the trade group for the industry.
They are among the most popular family and tourist attractions, they are crucial conservation centers and, he said, they contribute $8.4 billion to the gross domestic product and more than 100,000 jobs annually....
Cute 8 Month Old Lion Cubs Will Be On Exhibit At Naples Zoo Saturday Morning (click here)
By Tim L. Tetzlaff
Naples, FL - Just 8-months-old, these South African lions are as adorable as they are rare. Weighing in about 90 lbs., brother and sister will be romping in a newly renovated exhibit. Naples Zoo members get a preview Saturday at 8 a.m. Accredited institutions like Naples Zoo have the responsibility to provide safe havens for purebred animals that represent their relatives in the wild.
Although they were born at the NEW Zoo in Wisconsin, 4378 Reforestation RdGreen Bay, WI 54313 (click here) the genetics of these young cats can be directly traced to southern African populations. In order to maintain a genetically diverse population outside the wild for at least 100 years, these lions participate in a Species Survival Plan® coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In a few years, the Zoo will exchange with another zoo to breed this rare subspecies....
Order your engraved brick now and be one of the first to have your brick placed on the ramp leading to the Giraffe Exhibit. (click here)
All orders received by March 1, 2010 will be placed by the Giraffe Exhibit in July of 2010.
...The New Zoo is self funded. Revenue generated by admissions, exhibits, concessions, and your generosity keep us going and allow us to expand. Another major source of funding for the continuation of growth at the New Zoo comes from the sale of personalized paving bricks. The bricks are and will be used to pave the terraces of the Visitors Center, the Education Center, and along the pathways of many of your favorite animal exhibits....
In Zoo Cuts, It’s Man vs. Beast
AS in other cities, the shocks of the economic collapse have reverberated throughout Chicago, from the commodities exchanges in the Loop, past the fancy storefronts on Michigan Avenue and into the residential and commercial neighborhoods across the city’s inland expanses.
But the gloom has also spread north along Lake Michigan, through the gates of the Lincoln Park Zoo on the lakefront and right into the Regenstein Center for African Apes. There, the gorillas are no longer getting their blueberries.
Facing a budget shortfall of more than $1 million because of endowment losses, the 140-year-old zoo has had to cut back where possible. "Blueberries are pretty expensive," said Steven D. Thompson, senior vice president for conservation and science programs. "And there are lots of other things we can use as treats."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/arts/artsspecial/19zoo.html?_r=1
Smithsonian's National Zoo announces birth of a giant anteater born March 12
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of a giant anteater born yesterday, March 12, in an indoor enclosure. This is only the second giant anteater to be born in the history of the Zoo.
(Media-Newswire.com) - The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of a giant anteater born yesterday, March 12, in an indoor enclosure. This is only the second giant anteater to be born in the history of the Zoo.National Zoo animal care staff and veterinarians have been closely monitoring mother Maripi ( ma-RIP-ee ) for the past six months, performing weekly ultrasounds and other diagnostics. Staff expected Maripi to give birth in mid to late March based on the typical gestation period of giant
anteaters.National Zoo staff has yet to determine the baby’s gender or weight—and may not for some time. Maripi is showing excellent maternal instinct in caring for her baby and is very patient as the baby nurses and negotiates various techniques of climbing onto mother’s back. Staff will make every effort to not disturb the animals, allowing time for mother and baby to bond.The baby’s father, Dante—who is separated from mother and baby—plays no part in the rearing of offspring. This is the second offspring of Maripi and Dante. In summer 2007, Maripi gave birth to a female, Aurora, who now resides at the Zoo Parc de Beauval in France.Mother and baby will remain off exhibit until further notice. Dante can be seen on exhibit in next to Lemur Island, weather depending.
http://media-newswire.com/release_1087855.html
New head of NOAA says science will guide policy
By JEFF BARNARDASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- The new head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will not only be talking the talk on global warming, she will be walking the walk - eight blocks from the Metro station to her office.
Former Oregon State University marine biologist Jane Lubchenco had planned to rent a small apartment close enough to walk to her offices in the nation's capital, but got sticker shock when she saw the prices - $5,000 for a one-bedroom apartment - enough to finance a large house back home.
So she settled for a little place in the Cleveland Park neighborhood near the Red Line station, walking distance from grocery stores, drug stores and parks, though not the coastal marine ecosystems that have been her lifelong interest.
