Zoos
It's a big boy!
Mother and baby are doing well at the zoo
By Diana Penner
diana.penner@indystar.com
Mothers everywhere may envy Kubwa, the African elephant, who delivered her healthy, furry, 200-pound boy after just 10 minutes of labor.
The unnamed bull calf was born at the Indianapolis Zoo at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, almost a month before his estimated Nov. 12 due date after a gestation period of about 22 months.
a little help: A step stool helped the unnamed baby, born Tuesday at the Indianapolis Zoo, nurse from his mother, Kubwa, who is tall for an African elephant cow. This photo, taken Wednesday, shows mother and baby taking to the process quickly. He's Kubwa's second calf. - Photos provided by the Indianapolis Zoo
"Mom's being a very good mom,'' said Jill Sampson, a senior trainer and one of two elephant staff present for the birth.
The baby is Kubwa's second. In 2000, she gave birth to Amali, the first African elephant born after artificial insemination. Amali died in 2003 of a massive infection.
Another African elephant calf was born Monday at a Tampa, Fla., zoo.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051020/NEWS01/510200482
Scary sights at zoo
Kevin Hare/The Enquirer
Garrett Swann, 15 months, and his dad, Chad, came all the way from Grass Lake to enjoy the Great ZooBoo, in its 18th year at Binder Park Zoo. Kids can celebrate Halloween by riding the zoo's train, checking out the scarecrows and jack-o'-lanterns on display and collecting sugary edibles. The event also offers cider and doughnuts, carnival games and prizes. The ZooBoo helps raise money to keep the zoo operating through the winter.
WHAT: Binder Park ZooBoo.
WHEN: Now through Oct. 30. Hours are 5 to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 3 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
WHERE: 7400 Division Drive, Battle Creek.
COST: $4.50 per person and free for children under 2 not trick-or-treating.
INFORMATION: Call 979-1351 or visit the zoo's Web site at http://www.binderparkzoo.org/.
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051020/NEWS0101/510200315/1002/NEWS01
EU targets zoo birds, markets in bird flu fight
Thu Oct 20, 2005 7:16 PM BST
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union on Thursday adopted fresh measures to fight bird flu, agreeing a ban on collecting birds in markets or exhibitions without permission and urging states to keep wild flocks away from poultry feed.
The European Commission said in a statement a committee of EU veterinary experts had agreed on the measures, which also included recommendations for protecting birds in zoos. It said member states could vaccinate zoo birds when appropriate and that trade in these birds would be banned without authorization.
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=globalNews&storyID=2005-10-20T181635Z_01_ROB065781_RTRUKOC_0_US-BIRDFLU-EU.xml
Audit says animal welfare officials lax
By LIBBy QUAID
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
WASHINGTON -- Federal animal welfare officials in the Eastern United States are more lax in punishing zoos and other facilities when people or animals are endangered, Agriculture Department investigators reported Thursday.
In one case, the government failed to act against a zoo - with a history of violations - where a child was hurt by a jaguar after scaling an exhibit fence that was too low. In another, no action was taken against an unlicensed exhibitor whose monkey bit two preschoolers.
The department's inspector general did not identify the facilities, but investigators said they were in the Eastern region of the department's Animal Care Unit.
The Eastern region is not aggressively pursuing those who violate the law, investigators said. Their audit found that the number of referrals for investigation dropped from 209 annually in 2002 and 2003 to just 82 in 2004.
During those years, the Eastern region issued 38 fines for $88,001, compared to the Western region's 143 fines for $187,060, auditors said.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_Animal_Welfare.html
A Q&A with Jack Hanna
Erin McClanahan Rainwater, Special to Go Triad
(Thursday, October 20, 2005 9:37 am)
Q: With regards to the developments at our Natural Science Center, how important do you think it is for Greensboro to have a facility like this?
A: Extremely important. I have studied the blueprints and the plans for the Animal Discovery portion of the new Science Center as well as the improvements on the existing portions and I know this is a fresh and exciting plan. You will have the Asheboro Zoo where you will be able to go and look at animals from North America and Africa and then come to the Center here in Greensboro and have a whole different experience.
The Natural Science Center is the type of facility that shapes a community. Greensboro's citizens have in large part funded it through bonds. This shows the support in the community.
The sheer numbers and what the new NSC is going to do for tourism is just the tip of the iceberg. I have been witness to how much people love going to the Columbus Zoo and that same passion for animals is going to happen here. The community will be able to use the Center for weddings, corporate events, and camps will meet there. The Natural Science Center is in the business of saving animals. Living creatures are their product and that makes people want to come back time and time again.
http://www.gotriad.com/article/articleview/16747/1/14/
Bearcat bites two zoo workers at photo shoot
Associated Press
DALLAS — A bearcat bit two Fort Worth Zoo employees before a photo shoot with Dallas Stars hockey player Mike Modano, sending one of the workers to the hospital.
The Stars were shooting photos for a calendar, and the zoo had furnished two baby alligators and the bearcat. Once the animals were in place, it was determined Modano would pose with the alligators.
When the trainer attempted to put the bearcat back in a cage, the animal got "spooked," Lyndsay Nantz of the Fort Worth Zoo said in a story in Wednesday's online edition of The Dallas Morning News.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3404694
Gilstad hired as Minot zoo director
Associated Press
MINOT, N.D. - The Roosevelt Zoo here has a new director.
The Minot Park Board hired Dana Gilstad on Tuesday. She replaces Ron Merritt , who was hired as the director of the Minot Park District in August.
Gilstad has worked at the zoo for the past eight years, as the education coordinator.
"It's going to be a big jump, but it should be a very exciting jump for me," Gilstad said. "The zoo isn't just about one person, it's about the very qualified staff and the community."
http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/state/12944465.htm
Talent Zoo Talks to VIPs Online
October 19, 2005 -Jim Lovel
Sally Hogshead, who was the creative director and managing director of the former Los Angeles office of Crispin Porter + Bogusky, hosts the podcasts.
Hogshead calls her program The Naked Career and spends 15 minutes each week interviewing influential advertising executives.
Other scheduled guests include Avi Dan, managing partner of Berlin Cameron/Red Cell in New York, and Brad Brinegar, CEO of McKinney + Silver in Durham, N.C.
http://www.vnuemedia.com/aw/login/login_subscribe.jsp
New zoo fees move forward
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
By Steven Harmon
The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND RAPIDS -- There was some grumbling about a plan to hike John Ball Zoo admission prices, but a panel of Kent County commissioners Tuesday sent the proposal to the full Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Jack Horton, R-Vergennes Township, objected to the speed with which the proposal went through the board's Finance Committee, saying he hadn't seen it until he read it in The Press last weekend.
But his effort to postpone a vote by two weeks to give the public a chance to digest the price hikes failed.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-25/1129733256122300.xml&coll=6
Zoo closing on Mondays and Tuesdays until April
By TOM BUCKHAM
News Staff Reporter
10/18/2005
Still smarting from county aid cuts enacted earlier this year, the Buffalo Zoo will close to the public Monday and Tuesday through fall and winter.
The reduced "off-season" hours went into effect this week and will continue until April, when the full seven-day schedule will resume. Attendance traditionally drops sharply during cold weather, so the impact on revenues will be minimal.
The gates closed on Mondays and Tuesdays for a short time during the Erie County budget crisis in February, when it appeared all cultural funding would be cut from the county's 2005 spending plan. A number of zoo employees also were laid off, and admission fees were raised.
The seven-day-a-week schedule resumed, and some workers were brought back in late March, after all but about $250,000 of the zoo's $1.4 million subsidy was restored to the budget.
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20051018/1038978.asp
Boo’ in the Zoo
BIG BEAR LAKE- Tricks and treats will be the theme Monday, October 31 at the Moonridge Animal Park, also known as the Big Bear Zoo. From 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. the Zoo reintroduces this family-friendly Halloween party promising ghouls and goblins of all ages a frightfully good time. The Big Bear Zoo promotes traditional tricks-or-treats and Halloween-festivities in a safe and fun environment. Children ages 12 and under are invited to don their favored Halloween attire, bring a treat sack and join in the ghoulish fun. (It is also recommended attendees dress warmly and carry a flashlight.)
http://www.bearvalleynews.com/bvn
Naples Zoo to live on
http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=4548&z=3&p=
Zoo will alter operations
Sunday, October 9, 2005
The Associated Press
TOLEDO
Toledo Zoo officials will implement 115 of 123 recommendations made by a citizens task force that reviewed operations following the deaths of several animals.
The review included the zoo’s internal investigations of the animals’ deaths. The task force, appointed by Lucas County commissioners, began its work after the February firing of the zoo’s chief veterinarian of 22 years, which prompted questions about animal care and other problems.
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Category=13&ID=246229&r=0
Tigress mystery confounds zoo officials
Express News Service
Vadodara, October 9: After all the hype and excitement about the arrival of tiny striped members at Sayaji Baug Zoo, it could be that Siddhi, the seven-year-old tigress is not pregnant at all.
A few days have passed since she was expected to deliver cubs. Though it’s not too late to give up the anxious wait, experts at the zoo fear that it’s a case of ‘pseudo’ pregnancy. Officials were quite excited over Siddhi’s pregnancy as they prepared for the birth of cubs in captivity after 13 years. Doctors say Siddhi is showing all signs of being pregnant and is still under constant vigil for the past fortnight.Siddhi, who was brought from Rajkot zoo, is believed to have mated with Gabbar here in June and was expected to give birth last week. But all she has done is continue the zoo keepers’ wait. But they have not given up hope yet.
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=152232
Riverbanks Zoo Gets Award for Geckos Reproducing
COLUMBIA (AP) - Riverbanks Zoo has earned an award for getting leaf-tailed geckos to make babies.
It's not the first time Riverbanks has been recognized for its curators' skills at getting species to procreate.
The zoo recently won its third Edward H Bean Award. The award is given by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association for care and propogation of captive species.
This time, the zoo was honored for its work with leaf-tailed geckos. Riverbanks snared Beans for black howler monkeys in 1982 and for toucans in 1998.
In the 50 years the award has been given out, the only facilities that have won more Beans than Riverbanks are the Cincinnati Zoo, National Zoo, Bronx Zoo, Vancouver Aquarium and Sea World San Diego.
http://www.wltx.com/news/news19.aspx?storyid=31244
concluding ...
