Zoos
Zoo, aquarium dwellers need relief funds
September 15, 2005
BY JIM RITTER Staff Reporter
Every animal in the New Orleans zoo except two river otters and two birds survived Hurricane Katrina.
And while most of the fish died, the city's aquarium also escaped major damage.
The problem now is money. The Audubon Nature Institute, which oversees the zoo, aquarium and other nature museums and parks in New Orleans, expects to lose $25 million in visitor revenues during the next six months.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/hurricane/cst-nws-zoo15.html
THE DIFFERENCE IN REPORTNG THE SAME INCIDENT IS ASTOUNDING. THE SECOND ARTICLE WANTS TO TERROIZE PEOPLE WHILE THE WILDCAT IS HARDLY WILD AND MORE LIKE A KITTEN THAN A CAT. THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED.
Wild Cat Escapes At San Diego Zoo
Last Updated:
09-15-05 at 2:59PM
A fun-filled day at the San Diego Zoo turned frantic Wednesday for zookeepers and visitors, when a wild cat briefly escaped its enclosure before being captured.
A female caracal – a medium-sized cat native to parts of Africa and Asia – slipped out of its exhibit at around 1 p.m. while a zookeeper was cleaning it. Apparently a hose got stuck in the exhibit's door, leaving it slightly open.
Zoo officials said they did not feel the need to close down the zoo or evacuate visitors.
http://www.kfmb.com/stories/story.23369.html
Wildcat escapes from San Diego Zoo
A wildcat got about 45 minutes of freedom when it escaped from its enclosure at the San Diego Zoo. The escaped cat is an adult female Turkmenistan caracal, a small Asian animal that resembles a pint-sized mountain lion, but with tufted ears.
The cat was never in a public area, although some visitors saw keepers standing guard Wednesday in a roadway above the hillside, zoo officials said.
Keepers surrounded the caracal and brought her back to her enclosure. The caracal was not injured.
http://www.bakersfieldonline.us/news/read/3/46209
Zoo president says he'll raise money to keep animals in New Orleans
CHICAGO - The president of New Orleans' Audubon Nature Institute said Wednesday he's prepared to raise private funds to allow 5,000 animals and a pared-down staff of about 100 workers remain at the zoo while the city is rebuilt.
Ron Forman, appearing at the annual conference of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, said the effort could cost $25 million for the first six months.
"I'd like to think some of that will be federal moneys. But the needs are so great on the federal side ... the welfare effort for people is so vast that we're taking the position we're on our own," Forman said at a news conference. He wore donated clothes because he lost most of his in the hurricane.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/12645390.htm
Two campaigns to benefit zoos hit by Katrina
Beacon Journal staff report
Two campaigns will benefit zoos stricken by Hurricane Katrina.
The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago is coordinating a fund-raising campaign to benefit the Audubon Nature Institute's zoo, aquarium and research center in New Orleans. The campaign is being conducted for the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, an accrediting organization that will distribute the money.
Checks made payable to The Lincoln Park Zoological Society can be sent to Lincoln Park Zoo, P.O. Box 14903, Chicago IL 60614, attention: Hurricane Katrina Relief. Or visit http://www.lpzoo.org/
Also, the Akron Zoo wants to send $7,500 to Gulf Coast zoos, including the Audubon Nature Institute.
The zoo has pledged $2,500 from its Conservation Fund -- a fund supported by 1 percent of admissions revenue. The zoo is challenging the community to match that, and if matched, the zoo will commit another $2,500.
Checks made payable to the Akron Zoo can be sent to: Akron Zoo, 500 Edgewood Ave., Akron 44307, Attention: Disaster Relief Fund. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association will distribute the money.
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/12640135.htm
Are elephants just a memory for some zoos?
Are elephants an endangered species in U.S. zoos?
In recent years, seven zoos have stopped displaying the largest and perhaps most popular land animal.
All three Lincoln Park elephants have died, and the zoo hasn't decided whether to replace them.
The Detroit zoo has shipped its two elephants to a California sanctuary so they would no longer suffer cold weather and cramped space.
San Francisco forced its zoo to relocate its elephants by requiring at least 15 acres of space. A similar ordinance, requiring 10 acres per elephant, is pending in the Chicago City Council.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-eleph14.html
PEOPLE ARE UPSET BY THE SHOOTING OF THE CHIMPS THAT ESCAPED
Zoo Reopens
Last chimp relocated
Zoo Nebraska reopened Wednesday in the aftermath of three chimps being shot.
Four chimps got loose over the weekend and three were killed. The remaining animal is now in Missouri.
Video from a Nebraska State Patrol cruiser camera shows a portion of the attempted capture of the animals.
The zoo director initially fired tranquilizer darts at the chimpanzees. He hit two of them but the tranquilizer failed to take effect.
Three of the four animals were ultimately shot to death.
http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/1851697.html
Letters, 9/14: The cruelty of zoos
The events that happened at the Royal zoo on Saturday are a grim reminder as to why it is wrong to confine animals (whether it be in a zoo or on the set of a Hollywood movie) that are better left in their natural environment.
If people can imagine for one second living in a confined area, being fed on a schedule, being forced to be viewed as a “display” and having people use you for a source of amusement, maybe they would think twice about inflicting the same fate on wild animals.
How would you feel if you were constantly screamed at, intimidated, stared at and harassed by children (and at times their caretakers)? Is that kind of life necessary or humane? I understand that it is the intention of most zoos to educate people about animals, but I truly wonder at what cost.
We have all seen the large animals that pace back and forth in their cage in the same pattern all day long. Is that a normal behavior in the wild, or are they showing symptoms of mental distress because of confinement?
Three beautiful and intelligent chimpanzees had to be shot to death because they became dangerous when they left their confinement. Chimps are strong and at times, aggressive animals, especially after a life of confinement and unnatural placement. Animals can and do have the capacity to experience mental distress and illness when they are used for human entertainment. It is as simple as that, and it is tragic that we allow and encourage it as a society.
Amanda Sack, Lincoln
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2005/09/15/letters/doc4327756a2482f637738736.txt
Zoo to have wildlife healthcare and research centre
By May Wong, Channel NewsAsia
The Singapore Zoo is expected to operate a wildlife healthcare and research centre by early next year.
The centre aims to be the first world-class diagnostic and treatment facility.
This will help the institution enhance its research in the breeding of zoo animals.
These are all in line with the Singapore Zoo's conservation efforts to breed endangered animals.
Since the beginning of this year, the zoo has successfully bred over 60 animals, 30 percent of which are endangered species.
The latest endangered new-born animal at the zoo is the Pygmy Hippo.
Less than two weeks old, zoo keepers will have to wait a couple more months before they can identify its gender.
Such new additions are significant to the Singapore Zoo because it shows the environment is conducive for the animals to reproduce.
Singapore Zoo's executive director, Fanny Lai, said: "One of the important things is we want to inspire people to be closer to nature. So nothing better than to display the animals in their natural habitat.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/168248/1/.html
Alaska zoo gets world's first elephant treadmill
15 Sep 2005 00:40:53 GMT
Source: Reuters
ANCHORAGE, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Anchorage zookeepers are installing a 16,000-pound (7.3-tonne) treadmill to keep an isolated elephant from getting fat during the long, cold Alaskan winters.
The 20-foot(6-meter)-long treadmill was designed specifically for Maggie, a 23-year-old female African elephant that has become the subject of a national debate over the proper care for captive pachyderms.
"It looks just like a big people treadmill," said Patrick Lampi, assistant director of the Alaska Zoo.
Because this is the first treadmill ever built for an elephant, zoo officials and an Idaho company studied mining equipment and treadmills used for race horses and racing camels, Lampi said.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N14683798.htm
IN KNOW THIS IS A GAME BUT IT MIGHT HAVE MERIT FOR SOME.
Zoo Tycoon 2: Endangered Species
from Microsoft
"Zoo Tycoon 2: Endangered Species" is the new expansion pack to the hugely popular, award-winning "Zoo Tycoon 2." With the expansion pack, players will get up close to some of the world's rarest animals while doing their part to bring these unique species back from the brink of extinction. Whether it's the playful orangutan or the mysterious Florida panther, these amazing animals will inhabit gamers' dream zoos while challenging their zoo skills. New transportation options such as sky trams and vehicle tours will get zoo guests close to the endangered animals while preserving the habitats built for them.
http://www.gameinfowire.com/game.asp?gid=1707
PRESS RELEASE:
Endangered Species Have a New Home at the Official Zoo Tycoon 2: Endangered Species Web Site
September 15, 2005
Get a sneak peek at a Komodo Dragon or a fuzzy Koala – the Zoo Tycoon 2: Endangered Species Web site is here! The official site features images and information straight from the creators of Zoo Tycoon 2: Endangered Species, the upcoming expansion pack to the award-winning Zoo Tycoon 2 game for Windows. The Web site explores the new animals, transportation options and attractions that will help you build your ultimate zoo!
The new site also features Zoopedia pages with information derived from Microsoft Encarta that provide valuable and detailed information on all of the animals. The title is set for release in November. For more information please visit www.zootycoon2.com/endangeredspecies.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/press_release.php?aid=11563
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