Zoo Mania
It's a baby ape for Lincoln Park
47th gorilla is born at North Side zoo
By William Mullen
Tribune staff reporter
Published July 27, 2005
Good news came in a small package to Lincoln Park Zoo Tuesday morning when keepers arrived at the apehouse and discovered that Kowali, a 27-year-old lowland gorilla, was holding her newborn baby.
The zoo had been expecting Kowali to give birth for the last two weeks. She chose to do so sometime between 5 p.m. Monday, when keepers locked the building and went home, and 7 a.m. Tuesday, when they arrived for work.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0507270140jul27,1,1326549.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true
Zoo elephants stay in Thailand, for now
July 28, 2005 - 11:25AM
Animal rights groups are claiming a small victory for eight Asian elephants, after two Australian zoos agreed to keep the animals in Thai quarantine while a tribunal reviews their importation permits.
Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell last week announced the government had approved permits and captivity management plans for Taronga and Melbourne zoos to bring the elephants into Australia.
But animal rights activists have appealed against the decision in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), saying it does not meet national wildlife trade requirements.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Zoo-elephants-stay-in-Thailand-for-now/2005/07/28/1122143940858.html?oneclick=true
CHICAGO COUNCIL MEMBER CALLS ON ZOO ASSOCIATION, USDA TO UPGRADE ELEPHANT STANDARDS
In Wake of Chronic Health Problems, Premature Elephant Deaths at Zoos Across the Country, Resolution Calls on AZA to Increase Size of Animals’ Quarters
For Immediate Release:
July 27, 2005
Contact:
Debbie Leahy 757-622-7382
Chicago — Today, Chicago City Council member Mary Ann Smith (Ward 48) introduced two resolutions calling on the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to strengthen their current elephant-care standards. The resolutions point out that minimum space requirements fall far short of an elephant’s needs. PETA, In Defense of Animals, and Friends of Wankie have been rallying support for the resolutions.
http://www.peta.org/mc/NewsItem.asp?id=6812
Oregon Zoo favorite dies unexpectedly
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PORTLAND -- Mira, the blind elephant seal that became an underdog favorite at the Oregon Zoo, has died unexpectedly.
Stranded on a Northern California beach, the seal was unable to cope in the wild after her retinas deteriorated, leaving her blind. When she arrived at the Oregon Zoo in 2002, keepers worked around her disability -- putting food in her mouth instead of tossing it, for example, and attaching noise-making beads to her training pole.
http://159.54.227.3/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050727/NEWS06/507270357
Zoo looking to future; reaccreditation is a top priority
Possible county control and a national review process are looming as officials weigh local recommendations
By Tara White
The Capital-Journal
The Topeka Zoo may see more funding and increased cooperation as officials work to implement a citizens' review panel's recommendations for improvements.
The panel -- made up of nine community members appointed because of their knowledge of the zoo's fiscal or animal care policies -- released a report last week and presented its findings Tuesday to the Topeka City Council.
http://www.cjonline.com/stories/072805/loc_zoofuture.shtml
Commission authorizes $40 million loan for zoo land
By Daily News staff
July 26, 2005
Collier County commissioners today unanimously authorized a $40 million commercial loan that can be used to purchase the land underneath and surrounding Naples Zoo. Voters agreed to tax themselves by that much in November in an effort to save the landmark attraction, formerly known as Caribbean Gardens.
Commissioners also voted today to pay for another appraisal for the land, which stretches about 166 acres.
http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/news/article/0,2071,NPDN_14940_3954897,00.html
Zoo struggles to overcome management turmoil, funding questions
Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. - Its name once described it as "world famous," but Topeka's zoo has had three directors in seven years, and the number of annual visitors peaked more than a decade ago.
Now a new city report questions whether the zoo has enough money and calls on a nonprofit group to provide more help.
But Director Mike Coker believes the zoo's biggest problem is negative publicity from changes in its management.
http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/state/12227851.htm
Mother Panda Eats in Zoo Milestone
By DOUG WHITEMAN
The Associated Press
Tuesday, July 26, 2005; 4:41 PM
WASHINGTON -- The National Zoo's new mother panda appears to be showing confidence in her cub.
Zoo officials said Tuesday Mei Xiang left her cub alone for about three minutes on Monday so she could eat some bamboo and drink water. It was the first time she had eaten since the cub was born July 9.
Studies of giant pandas in the wild have found that new mothers will go as long as a month without eating or drinking.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/26/AR2005072601332.html
Syracuse zoo has second pregnant elephant; first due any day
By WILLIAM KATES
Associated Press Writer
July 26, 2005, 1:05 PM EDT
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Keepers at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo _ already awaiting the birth of one new baby elephant this summer _ will be pacing the floor again next year when a second baby is expected.
Romani, a 29-year-old Asian elephant, is due with her fourth calf in late spring or early summer of next year, Zoo Director Anne Baker said Tuesday.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--elephantbabies0726jul26,0,7762187.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork
Petting zoos packed with playful critters — and germs
TRIBUNE PHOTO BY MONICA FOUTS
A youngster meets a kid during the Marias 4-County Fair. To prevent illness, health experts encourage visitors to the petting zoo or livestock barns to wash their hands.
Petting zoos provide great opportunities for kids to see animals up close, but parents and children should take steps to keep the outing disease-free, according to Dr. Jeanne Rankin, Montana's assistant state veterinarian.
"Hand washing is one of the most important practices in preventing the spread of disease for visitors to petting zoos," Rankin said.
Montana Department of Livestock will staff booths in the Livestock Pavilion and at the petting zoo during the Montana State Fair in Great Falls, July 29 through Aug. 6. Department representatives will provide information on biosecurity measures, along with the importance of good hygiene around animals.
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050726/LIFESTYLE/507260305/1024
Rare species of ape dies at Jacksonville Zoo
Last Update: 7/26/2005 4:32:59 PM
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A rare ape at the Jacksonville Zoo has died, probably of heart disease.
Thirty-four-year-old Bosondjo was found dead Friday in his favorite hammock at the zoo. He had been under treatment for heart disease and hypothyroidism.
Bonobos are relatives of the chimpanzee. They were once called pygmy chimpanzees. They are native to the swampy equatorial forests of the left bank of the Congo River. The larger chimps are from the river's right bank.
http://www.fox30online.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=8615970F-A055-4A15-839E-88AE986BD558
Naples Zoo owner confident land can be saved
By LAURA LAYDEN, lllayden@naplesnews.com
July 26, 2005
Nothing is going to get David Tetzlaff down.
He still believes the Naples Zoo that his family has run for more than 35 years will be rescued. His optimism hasn't waned, even after finding out that the asking price for the land beneath and surrounding the zoo is nearly $30 million more than voters agreed to pay for it in an effort to save the landmark attraction.
http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/news/article/0,2071,NPDN_14940_3953692,00.html
Zoo Director Becomes Spider Monkey's Mom
The Associated Press
Monday, July 25, 2005; 4:54 PM
WAHPETON, N.D. -- With a 3 1/2-month-old baby, Kathy Diekman doesn't get a lot of sleep at night. Niko has been with her every night since his birth. Her husband, Tom Schmaltz, has moved to another room to sleep. "He's afraid he'll roll over on him," Diekman said.
When he was born April 3, Niko weighed a little more than a pound and was given only a slim chance of survival. His doctors say Diekman's nurturing has helped overcome those odds.
Niko is a different kind of baby: He is a spider monkey, and attaches himself to Diekman's hair.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/25/AR2005072500999.html
Topeka zoo -- Fix it again
Every few years, Topekans have to respond to some complaint of problems at their zoo
By The Capital-Journal editorial board
A great zoo needs three things: money, management and animals.
The Topeka Zoo has animals.
It appears to be lacking in money and management, according to a citizens' panel that studied the zoo at the request of the Topeka City Council.
http://cjonline.com/stories/072405/opi_zooed.shtml
Zoo's new aquatic exhibit drawing bigger crowds
It's a hit: The Indianapolis Zoo is now giving patrons special dolphin show tickets as they enter the zoo to help spread out traffic in the new Dolphin Adventure. Attendance is up 32 percent from the same time last year. -- Kelly Wilkinson / The Star
By Robert King
The dolphins at the Indianapolis Zoo are making friends fast.
The zoo's new Dolphin Adventure, which opened Memorial Day weekend, has ratcheted up zoo attendance by 32 percent over the same period a year ago, according to officials.
Spillover from the dolphins is being credited with bumping up crowds at the adjacent White River Gardens, which has seen attendance rise 44 percent.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050724/NEWS01/507240488
Keep the Detroit Zoo Alive!
By Clarence Dass Contributing Columnist
How many times have you been told that “you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone?”
It seems like we hear it all the time, but do we ever really take it seriously? Well, this past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit one of Detroit’s greatest cultural spots, and I realized that instead of worrying about what we’ve lost, we should worry about what we still have.
I’m not talking about Comerica Park, Ford Field, or the Fox Theater. I’m talking about the Detroit Zoo.
Is it only me, or has Detroit forgotten the that it has a zoo? It seems like anytime tourists visit Detroit, the only thing they hear about is Cass Corridor or 8 Mile Road.
http://www.southend.wayne.edu/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1511
A panda prescription for an ailing zoo
New cub to restore National Zoo's image
Mary Donahue, Online Staff Writer
7/24/2005
Between the continuous death of animals and a deteriorating physical appearance, the national treasure status of the Washington National Zoo seems to have been lost. But that glorious status can be restored by none other than a baby panda, roughly the size of a stick of butter. The baby panda cub's birth will not only help restore the positive image of the zoo, but the cub will also provide a much needed moral boost in light of recent animal deaths.
The National Zoo's problems began to surface back in 2002, beginning with the death of Ryma, a 17-year-old giraffe, and the starvation of two zebras. The animal deaths then continued throughout the following years, and included: a pygmy hippo, two red pandas, a cheetah, a lion, a lemur, another giraffe, a grey seal, an emu, a komodo dragon, an orangutan and a "partridge in a pear tree."
http://silverchips.mbhs.edu/inside.php?sid=5525
Zoo Animals Doing What They Can To Beat The Heat
Make WFMY News 2 Your Home Page
Even the polar bears are finding ways to get by.
Asheboro, NC -- The North Carolina Zoo is keeping an eye on their heat-sensitive animals but zookeepers say the animals are taking it all in stride.
The polar bears are taking frequent dips in their chilled pools to beat the heat.
The african elephants seem to be right at home.
Every animal at the zoo has some sort of shelter and shade to stay under during the day.
http://www.wfmynews2.com/news/local_state/local_article.aspx?storyid=45795
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