Zoos
Three Great Zoos in Australia
http://www.zoo.org.au/
African groove at Werribee Open Range Zoo
http://www.zoo.org.au/vorz/rhythmofafrica.cfm
World-first centre opens at Healesville Sanctuary
http://www.zoo.org.au/newspage.cfm?p=947
Melbourne Zoo
http://www.zoo.org.au/featured/eles.pdf
Zoo hopes reward will see return of stolen penguin
ANGUS HOWARTH
A ZOO is refusing to give up hope even though the search for a stolen baby penguin has so far proved fruitless.
Three-month-old Toga has not been seen since vanishing from Amazon World on the Isle of Wight more than a week ago.
After a tip-off that the rare bird had been dumped in Portsmouth docks in a plastic bag, a search of the harbour failed to turn up anything.
Meanwhile, Toga's parents Oscar and Kyala seem to be preparing to lay more eggs, a spokeswoman for the zoo said.
The penguins had begun to show signs of nesting, said Kath Bright, the zoo's manager.
Ms Bright said the zoo was still following up all leads and staff were determined to find out what happened to the bird.
"I don't think we will give up. We will follow up every phone call we get - which is what we have been doing over Christmas," Ms Bright added.
The zoo has offered a £1,000 reward - with more than £2,000 more from donations - for the return of Toga, who it said would die without its mother.
Toga lives on a special diet, needs to be kept cool with access to plenty of fresh water, and will not take food from humans.
It is thought thieves may have scaled a 6ft outer wall at Amazon World, before clambering over an 8ft metal and concrete barrier to steal Toga.
Toga was the first South African Jackass Penguin to be bred at the island zoo.
There are now only six adults left there, including Toga's parents.
There are about 150 to 200 of the rare and endangered breed in the UK.
http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=2465722005
Christmas Surprise at The Zoo
12/28/2005
Tara_Roberts@link.freedom.com
Mother and baby are doing fine after a surprise Christmas morning birth.
When Rob Free, animal care staffer at The Zoo in Gulf Breeze, was making his morning feeding rounds at the animal park, he found a new addition in the Nile Hippo Exhibit. Since Mom Cleopatra - a 3,500-pound, 20-year-old Nile hippopotamus - is being very protective, zoo staff is still unsure whether the 50-pound calf is a boy or a girl. But, Cleo has brought the baby out for short naps in the sun, so there is hope that the gender can be determined soon. As a special finder’s reward, Free was given the task of naming the new calf.
Zoo visitors can get a glance at the newest addition during a short whistle-stop on the Safari Line Limited train ride through the Hippo Exhibit. Visitors are asked to be especially quiet and to take any photos quickly.
Cleopatra and 9-year-old Kiboko, a mating pair from Busch Gardens in Tampa, arrived at The Zoo this past spring. When they arrived, park officials believed she might have been pregnant at that time. After the customary 8-month wait, no calf, so this weekend's birth took everyone by surprise. The pair has another calf that is still at Busch Gardens.
The Zoo, located about 20 miles west of Fort Walton Beach at 5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway, is open daily, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call (850) 932-2229.
http://community.emeraldcoast.com/article.showarticle.db.php?a=2976
The Elephant in the Room
U.S. Zoos Struggle With Question of Keeping Pachyderms in Captivity
By Robert Strauss
Special to The Washington Post
Wednesday, December 28, 2005; Page A03
PHILADELPHIA -- A vintage advertising poster from the mid-20th century hangs in the offices of the Philadelphia Zoo. It has a yellow background with a semi-Art Deco drawing of an elephant and says "Visit the zoo. Open every day."
Some things haven't changed at the Philadelphia Zoo, America's oldest, founded in 1874. It is still open every day and, for the time being, it still has elephants. But in Philadelphia, as in zoos around the country, the question of whether elephants should be kept at all zoos -- or maybe even any zoo -- has almost abruptly become a sensitive one.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/27/AR2005122700939.html
Va. Zoo Workers Try to Rescue Prairie Dogs
Workers at the Virginia Zoo are trying to help nature along by rescuing prairie dogs that were buried when their exhibit collapsed because of drenching rains.
Five of the burrowing rodents were found alive Saturday in a near-hibernation state, and two more were found Tuesday. Workers continued digging on Wednesday.
"They're in pretty good shape," said the zoo's executive director, Lewis Greene. "They were awake, but a little sleepy-headed."
The prairie dogs' burrows collapsed last week. Zoo officials originally were going to let the rodents dig themselves out - as some experts recommended - but started the rescue operation following a public outcry.
"We do have quite a few people stopping by offering condolences," said Alison Swank, director of marketing. One child brought a stuffed bear to console zookeepers after he had heard of the collapse.
http://www.forbes.com/work/feeds/ap/2005/12/28/ap2417643.html
Zoo digs up its prairie dog site
Published December 28, 2005
NORFOLK (AP) -- Crews have resumed digging out the Virginia Zoo's prairie dog exhibit to determine whether more of the animals remain alive after a tunnel collapse.
Five sleeping prairie dogs were discovered in a near-hibernation state Saturday, two days after zoo officials announced that the entire colony of about 10 apparently died.
"It was really nice to be wrong and find them alive," the zoo's director, Lewis Greene, told the Virginian-Pilot newspaper. "We're reasonably sure the others are still in there and they're doing just fine."
No more animals were uncovered when the digging resumed Monday. Excavation will continue through the week, Mr. Greene said.
The rescued animals are indoors in cages with cardboard and straw to simulate their burrows, Mr. Greene said.
A Maryland prairie dog researcher said the move might harm the animals.
"Now they're totally disrupted," said John Hoogland of the University of Maryland's Appalachian Environmental Laboratory in Frostburg. "They brought them in a laboratory with harsh lights and heat."
Mr. Hoogland, contacted by the newspaper, said the zoo should have left the habitat alone despite the cave-in because it is unlikely a tunnel collapse could have killed the animals.
He said the prairie dogs probably were deep inside a burrow in a state of low activity that is not quite hibernation.
Even after crews began shoveling and found a thriving nest of prairie dogs, Mr. Hoogland said, the diggers should have stopped. "Let them do what they do naturally," he said.
Mr. Hoogland is not familiar with the Virginia Zoo's exhibit but has advised other zoos on establishing prairie dog colonies.
Mr. Greene, who had consulted with directors from other zoos, said he felt he had to dig because the fate of the animals was not clear and animal lovers were upset. Mr. Greene said he was swamped with irate phone calls and e-mails from citizens outraged over the zoo's initial inaction.
"We're going to get criticized no matter what we do," he said.
Since the digging began, Mr. Greene said, he has learned that the collapse was superficial and did not destroy the burrow system. Once the exhibit was altered, he said, he feared it was unsafe for the prairie dogs.
He said he also learned that the soil, which was recommended by a zoo architect, holds too much water, making the tunnels vulnerable to collapse. He said the soil will be replaced with a better mixture and the exhibit will reopen in the spring.
What if another tunnel collapse occurs in the prairie dogs' home?
"We'll be smart enough to leave them alone," Mr. Greene said.
http://washingtontimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20051227-095139-7591r
Red pandas chill-out at K.C. zoo
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 27 (UPI) -- The Kansas City Zoo's red pandas have a new, chilly home.
The small pandas, like their big black and white cousins, are thick-furred, eat bamboo, are endangered and endearing, the Kansas City Star reported.
And, because the they love cold weather, they are an ideal featured attraction during the winter months when most animals are inside, the newspaper said.
The two red pandas currently occupy the first, open-air display in the old Cat Walk, not far from the zoo entrance.
The newspaper said the pandas seemed to relish a recent snowfall as they fed on fresh bamboo grown for them on zoo grounds.
"They're pretty laid-back little creatures," said animal curator Liz Harmon. "They love their bamboo."
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20051227-112457-2723r
Wolf cubs fine
A 10-YEAR-OLD female Brazilian wolf gave birth to four cubs at the Shanghai Zoo recently, a rare event as wolves usually only have one cub at a time, according to zoo officials.
The parents of the cubs were a gift to the city from Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and moved to Shanghai in 1998.
At the time, the parents were the only two Brazilian wolves living in Asia.
Over the next six years, the wolf couple only had one female cub as they couldn't adjust well to their new environment.
"We tried several methods to help the couple have more healthy cubs, including buying two more male Brazilian wolves from Holland early this year," said zoo Director Xiong Chengpei.
The efforts finally paid off. Four cubs were born 11 days ago, but the runt of the litter was too weak to survive.
The other three cubs (two females and one male) were immediately taken to a special care ward, where they were constantly looked after by veterinarians.
"We are now quite confident that these three cubs will be able to survive and grow in our zoo," said Xiong.
Along with the three new cubs, the zoo now has eight Brazilian wolves in total.
"Now I think it's time to say the Brazilian wolves have really settled down in Shanghai," said Xiong. "We will try our best to maintain and help the family grow."
The three cubs are now fed by a wet nurse, a rough collie from the zoo's pet garden. The wolf mother didn't have enough breast milk for all her babies, said Wang Weirong, the wolves' feeder.
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2005/12/28/231880/Three_wolf_cubs_in_good_shape_at_city_zoo.htm
Vandals strike Utica Zoo again, steal merchandise
Wednesday, Dec 28, 2005
Nicole A. Hawley
Observer-Dispatch
UTICA — The Utica Zoo has been vandalized for the second time in two months.
Vandals broke into the zoo's gift shop between 11 and 11:30 p.m. Saturday by destroying the lock on the door, said Nicole White, public relations representative and special events coordinator for the zoo.
In addition to stealing merchandise in the shop, White said, the vandals also damaged the transmission of a zoo vehicle and damaged the Zoomobile, which is used to transport animals for educational programs conducted by the zoo.
http://www.uticaod.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051228/NEWS/512280317/1001
Celebrate Kwanzaa with the Zoo
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
The Staten Island Zoo, West Brighton, invites the public to celebrate Kwanzaa tomorrow from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Janet Robinson, Staten Island's "Kwanzaa Lady," will be on hand to read stories and tell the story of Kwanzaa. Savannah animals will also be available. Children will be able to make a craft related to the holiday.
Kwanzaa is a unique African-American celebration, focusing on the traditional African values of family, community, responsibility, commerce and self-improvement. It is a time of reaffirming African-American people, their ancestors and culture.
Kwanzaa means "first fruits of the harvest" in the African language, Kiswahili. Since its founding in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa has come to be observed by more than 18 million people worldwide.
For further information, please contact the Zoo at (718) 442-3174. Kathryn Carse
http://www.silive.com/living/advance/index.ssf?/base/living/113577953988390.xml&coll=1
Escherichia Coli O157:H7 Outbreaks Associated With Petting Zoos, N Carolina, Florida And Arizona, 2004-2005
Category: Veterinary News
Article Date: 29 Dec 2005During 2004-2005, three outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections occurred among agricultural fair, festival, and petting zoo visitors in North Carolina, Florida, and Arizona. One hundred eight cases, including 15 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome* (HUS), were reported in the North Carolina outbreak; 63 cases, including seven HUS cases, were reported in the Florida outbreak; and two cases were reported in Arizona. No fatalities occurred. Illnesses primarily affected children who visited petting zoos at these events. This report summarizes findings from these outbreak investigations, which indicated the need for adequate control measures to reduce zoonotic transmission of E. coli O157:H7.
North Carolina
On October 29, 2004, the North Carolina Division of Public Health (NCDPH) received a report of a cluster of three HUS cases among children who visited a petting zoo at the North Carolina State Fair (Figure). Approximately 800,000 visitors attended this fair during October 15--24, 2004. The fair had two petting zoos (petting zoos A and B).
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=35463
Highlights From MMWR: Petting Zoos Linked to E. Coli Outbreaks and More
Yael Waknine
CME
E. coli Outbreaks Highlight Need for Strengthened Control Measures in Petting Zoos
During 2004 to 2005, the CDC was notified of 3 Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreaks at petting zoos and agricultural events in North Carolina (108 cases), Florida (63 cases), and Arizona (2 cases). The cases were nonfatal and primarily occurred in younger children who had had direct and indirect contact with animals in petting areas.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a principal cause of acute renal failure among children, was reported in 15 and 7 cases from North Carolina and Florida, respectively. According to the CDC, HUS generally occurs in 3% to 7% of E. coli O157:H7 infections.
Ruminant livestock are asymptomatically colonized and represent the primary animal reservoir for E. coli O157:H7. In the North Carolina outbreak, extensive direct animal contact occurred in an area contaminated with manure; in Florida, infections were associated with touching and feeding animals and indirect contact (eg, touching sawdust/shavings, visibly soiled clothes/shoes). At least 1 case in Arizona was linked to a play area suspected of contamination via drainage from the adjacent petting zoo.
The CDC recommends that petting-zoo control measures be strengthened to reduce disease transmission and prevent similar outbreaks. For example, restricting young children from directly entering open-interaction areas of petting zoos may reduce the risk for human exposure to manure
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/520557
E. coli outbreak traced to Washington dairy
KMTR-TV
An E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least eight children has been linked to unpasteurized milk from a dairy that was ordered in August to stop selling the product.
WOODLAND, Wash. (AP) -
All consumers of unpasteurized, or "raw," milk from the Dee Creek Farm in Clark County, Washington, have been asked to contact their health department.
Infection with the E. coli bacteria has been confirmed in eight children, ages five to 14. Four of the children were in critical condition at hospitals Wednesday night. Three apparent but unconfirmed cases have been reported in Oregon.
The farm owners, Anita and Michael Puckett, did not return messages left by The Columbian newspaper in Vancouver, Washington.
Raw milk advocates say pasteurization, which kills the bacteria, also reduces some of milk's nutritional qualities.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10484681/from/RL.5/
Animals eaten alive in unregulated Chinese zoos
Updated Tue. Dec. 27 2005 11:32 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
For private zoo patrons in Wuhan, China, it costs five dollars to get the "safari experience:" A seat at a fight to the death between an injured cow and a group of tigers.
It's not much of a battle.
The zoo bills the event as similar to what one would see in the wild, and is allowed to stage them because China has few laws governing how zoos are run or who runs them. The shows are wildly popular, and often the sole reason patrons visit the facilities. The number of such zoos has grown steadily.
Many of those who spoke with CTV News at the "safari experience" spoke of their alarm at seeing the spectacle. However, thousands every year attend the shows, making them a profitable venture.
While the money may be good, the treatment of the animals is barbaric, say animal rights groups.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051225/Chinese_zoos_051225/20051227?hub=CTVNewsAt11
Elahi to inaugurate Lahore Zoo’s master plan on Jan 2
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi will inaugurate the Lahore Zoo master plan’s launching ceremony on January 2 and work on the plan will start soon, sources in the Lahore Zoo told Daily Times on Monday.
The master plan includes new enclosures for monkeys, bears, lions, leopards, chimpanzees and jackals, a new parking area and a double-storey reptile house.
The chief minister had taken serious notice of the lack of medical facilities at the zoo, sources said, adding that Elahi was expected to issue instructions in this regard at the launching ceremony. The zoo does not have an x-ray room and emergency room and a proper vehicle for animals in case of an emergency. Sources told Daily Times that the zoo would start purchasing animals soon for the new cages. Those animals would be purchased that were not at the zoo or needed a pair, they said, adding that animals would be bought through tenders. The giraffe, one of the favourites among children, died three and a half years ago, therefore the management has planned to buy a new giraffe.
Wildlife experts say the zoo already has a rhinoceros, hippopotamus and elephant, animals that live in groups and need plenty of space, but where would the zoo find enough space to keep the giraffe? Sources in the zoo say the reptile house lacked modern facilities like controlled temperature and skilled staff. They said that uniform temperature was necessary for reptiles and an in-built system for insect breeding, which the zoo lacked. shoaib ahmed
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005%5C12%5C27%5Cstory_27-12-2005_pg7_21
15-year-old lioness dies in Mumbai zoo
Mumbai December 26, 2005 10:39:37 PM IST
A 15-year-old lioness died following kidney failure at Jijamata Udyan at Byculla, South-central Mumbai today.
Dadasaheb Shivjatak, Public Relation Officer of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which manages the zoo, said Supriya's end came at around 1645 hrs.
He said normal lifespan of a lion/lioness is around 18 years.
The pair of Supriya and lion Sunny were brought to the zoo on October 27, 1994 from Pune's Peshawe Park under barter exchange. The BMC had give them a pair of cheetah.
Sunny had died on January 21 this year, he said.
http://news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=202376&n_date=20051226&cat=India
Board insists zoo safe after search for fugitive
KIM BARTLEY
Tuesday, 27 December 2005
The Zoological Parks Board claims the people and creatures of Western Plains Zoo are not in danger. But it has offered little other information about the zoo's role in the manhunt for fugitive Malcolm Naden or the impact of Statewide media coverage of its closure on December 23. That day police searched the zoo hoping to find the suspected murderer. In a statement released in the 24 hours after the zoo gates were reopened, the board said police had comprehensively searched for the suspect and "the area where this person is thought to have gained access to Western Plains Zoo premises has been locked down". "At no time has there been any threat to the visitors, animals and wildlife on site at Western Plains Zoo," the statement read. "As always their care and welfare have remained at the highest standards." The board said police would continue to conduct patrols around the zoo and surrounding areas with the "full co-operation" of its staff and security personnel. Yesterday a media officer for the zoo said management was not available on public holidays to provide further information. She said visitor numbers at the zoo following the search would not be known until after they were "collated" at the end of January. Zoo staff did not like to "speculate" on any ramifications of the search to the operations of the zoo, the media officer said. Police have declared the area safe but are making "sporadic" patrols of it in their bid to question Malcolm Naden in relation to the disappearance of one of his cousins and the murder of another.
http://dubbo.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=local&story_id=448227&category=General%20News&m=12&y=2005
concluding ...
