Zoos
Mysore zoo on a mission to save abandoned jumbo calf
By Shankar Bennur DH News Service Mysore:
The century-old Mysore Zoo is facing a challenge to save a 60-day-old female elephant calf which was rescued from Bandipur National Park. The calf, which is in a severe dehydrated state, is on a ‘round-the-clock’ observation under the watchful eyes of zoo vets.
But the chances of its survival are remote as its condition is serious. Yet, the zoo vets are not giving up. Zoo Director Manoj Kumar is accessing information from the zoos across India and the world, to find out any other new method that could save this young calf.
“It is very difficult to save jumbo calves in the age group of two months. They should have had mother’s milk for at least 2.5 to 3 months so that its immune system will be strong enough to withstand problems. Nevertheless we have taken this case as a challenge and are consulting experts to help save it,” Kumar told Deccan Herald.
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan12006/state17515220051231.asp
DUSIT ZOO WILL REOPEN SOON, WITH RED PANDAS AND PENGUINS AS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ZOO
Dusit Zoo prepares to reopen its service, with red pandas and penguins as their main selling points this year.
Director of the zoo, Wisit Wichasil (วิศิษฏ์ วิชาศิลป์) said that last year, about 1.8-2 million people visited the zoo, an increase of 10-15% from the 2004 figures, because the zoo has brought in new animals and organized special activities all year. He said that for this year, the zoo, which has closed down for renovation, will reopen soon, adding that modern technology will be used to educate people about the animals. In addition, red pandas from China and penguins from Antarctica will be featured at the zoo this year.
Mr. Wichai added that the zoo will extend their operating hours from 8AM -6PM to 8AM-9PM, so that the zoo can serve as another natural tourist spot at night in Bangkok. He said that the renovation is 80% completed, expecting the zoo can reopen after Chinese New year this year. He said that tourists will increase by 10%, adding that the zoo still has no policy to raise its entry free, as the government has no plan to privatize the zoo at the moment.
http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=157031
DUSIT ZOO HOLDING ANIMAL PARADES AND INTRODUCING NEW HYENA PAIR AS SPECIAL NEW YEAR ARRANGEMENTS
Iintroducing its new hyena, as special arrangements for this New Year.
Visitors to the zoo can closely observe the animals that are being paraded through the zoo. A new pair of hyenas, a male and a female, will be displayed at the zoo for 1 year before they are returned to the Nakhon Ratchasima zoo for mating. The hyena pair has so far drawn significant attention from the public.
The zoo opens from 8 am in the morning to 6 pm in the evening, and the special New Year activities at the zoo will take place until January 3rd. Adults are charged 40 baht entrance fees and children only 10 baht.
http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=156779
Elephant's popularity raising hopes at zoo
OAKLAND FORGING AHEAD WITH BREEDING PROGRAM DESPITE CRITICISM
By Guy Ashley
Knight Ridder
Osh, the massive bull elephant who recently completed his first year at the Oakland Zoo, is making friends.
And that's downright thrilling news for zookeepers looking to the hulking adolescent to jump-start Oakland's elephant breeding program and rebuff critics who say spotty success shown by zoos worldwide in spawning new generations of the massive pachyderms is but one signal that elephants don't belong in captivity.
``It can be done,'' said Joel Parrott, the zoo's executive director. ``The key is keeping the elephants active and involved in the social groups that they're accustomed to in the wild.''
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/13538049.htm
Zoo Releases $2.7 Million 2006 Budget
Tuesday night, the Sioux Falls City Council voted unanimously to renew the Zoological Society's partnership with the City to manage the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum for 5 years. Earlier today, Zoo President Elizabeth Whealy presented a $2.7 million budget for 2006.
$1.3 million of that will come from the City. That's about $500,000 than the City gave last year. The money will pay for increased employee salaries, including five new positions. More than $200,000 of the total budget will be spent on marketing the zoo to attract visitors, and another $200,000 will pay for renovations and maintenance put off during previous years.
"We have a number of items we need to work on that haven't been cared for in the past in the way we'd like them to be cared for now, so we're working on making that deferred maintenance, getting at it and moving on," said Zoo President Elizabeth Whealy.
The Zoo's President says changes around the zoo may not be noticeable to the average visitor. But Whealy says even things like fixing fences, adding benches and buying new uniforms will help improve the zoo overall.
http://www.keloland.com/News/NewsDetail5440.cfm?Id=0,44970
Amur leopard at the Oregon Zoo diagnosed with cancer
PORTLAND, Ore.- Andrea, Oregon Zoo's female Amur leopard, has been diagnosed with cancer. According to the zoo's lead veterinarian Dr. Mitch Finnegan, her keepers noticed mild intermittent lethargy and a slightly decreased appetite in mid-November. An ultrasound in early December showed a uterine mass and fluid in the abdomen.
Exploratory surgery on the 14-year-old revealed a uterine tumor that had apparently eroded through the wall of the uterus and seeded her abdominal cavity with tumor cells. Because the tumor shed millions of cells into her abdominal cavity, she has a carpet of tumor cells growing on all of the surfaces in her abdomen, including her intestines, liver, spleen; a condition known as peritoneal carcinomatosis. Examination of her uterus and ovaries after they were removed showed that she also had ovarian cancer involving one ovary.
http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=82245
Petting Zoo
On the morning of Thanksgiving, a time for giving and sharing, John Washington, the owner of Washington Farms says it's the morning the attacks all began.
"My son and I got up to go feed the animals at our Petting Zoo Farm and when we came down to the pen there were three large dogs in the pen attacking the animals and killing them," says Washington.
Washington says several of his animals were already dead and several he had to shot because of the severity of their injuries, but the attacks were all but over
http://www.wneg32.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WNEG/MGArticle/NEG_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1128769083191&path=
Zoos and wildlife conservation
By John Linehan/ Special To The Tab
Wednesday, January 4, 2006
It never ceases to amaze me when people appear surprised to learn how much zoos in general, and Zoo New England in particular, are doing in the conservation arena. Perhaps some people hold to the outdated perspective of zoos as purely recreational facilities. The role and function of zoos has evolved dramatically in recent years. In the past, we were animal exhibitors and wildlife consumers. Today we are net wildlife producers as well as interpreters for, and advocates of, a natural world under siege.
http://www2.townonline.com/newton/artsLifestyle/view.bg?articleid=400712
2005 a prolific year for captive pandas
Items compiled from Tribune news services
Published January 3, 2006
BEIJING, CHINA -- A record 21 surviving baby pandas were born in China's zoos and breeding centers in 2005, state media reported Monday.
Sixteen were born at Wolong Giant Panda Research Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan, the rare animal's biggest natural habitat, the China Daily newspaper said. The others were born in research centers in the Sichuan provincial capital, Chengdu, in the northwestern Chinese province of Shaanxi and at the Beijing Zoo.
China has 183 pandas in captivity, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. It said 24 others live in nine zoos in five other countries.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0601030236jan03,1,6578828.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed
Panda cub on show at US zoo
Su Lin, a four-month-old giant panda cub, plays on a tree branch in the enclosure she shares with her mother Bai Yun at the San Diego Zoo December 30, 2005. Su Lin, whose name means "A little bit of something very cute" in Chinese went on public display December 29.
The 21-week-old panda cub appeared Thursday before a throng of tourists in town for the Holiday Bowl.
Zookeeper Lisa Bryant said Su Lin is precocious and very curious. She's climbing and trying to stand on her head, a common activity for panda cubs.
Su Lin, which means "A Little Bit of Something Very Cute," will be on display from 9 a.m. to noon daily. She and her mother, Bai Yun, will be allowed in the den in the afternoon, away from public view. They can either go indoors or remain outside on display.
Giant pandas are an endangered species. There are only about 1,600 of the animals in captivity and in the wild. The pandas at the San Diego Zoo are on loan from China as part of a captive breeding program. Su Lin will be sent to that country when she is older.
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/family/5731050/detail.html
Zoo's Baby Panda Makes Public Debut
POSTED: 6:43 am PST December 30, 2005
UPDATED: 6:53 am PST December 30, 2005
SAN DIEGO -- Su Lin returns to public view at the San Diego Zoo Friday, one day after her debut.
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/family/5731050/detail.html
Caviar Exports Canceled in Move to Stop Sturgeon Extinction
By C. J. CHIVERS
Published: January 3, 2006
MOSCOW, Jan. 3 - The global export trade in caviar, the briny eggs of sturgeon that for decades have been one of the world's most exotic and lucrative wildlife products, was abruptly ordered shut down today by the international convention that helps nations manage threatened species.
The export suspension, called for by the secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or C.I.T.E.S., was described as a temporary measure to compel nations that still export caviar and other sturgeon products to demonstrate that their fishing practices are not driving the remaining fish populations toward extinction.
Exporting nations must "ensure that the exploitation of sturgeon stocks is commercially and environmentally sustainable over the long term," the convention's secretary general, Willem Wijnstekers, said in a statement.
Sturgeon products, legal and illegal, are thought to be worth at least several hundred million dollars each year. But scientists and managers have said for decades that the caviar industry, and the species that drive it, are in jeopardy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/03/international/03cnd-sturgeon.html?emc=eta1
Hairs tell story of African elephants: scientists
www.chinaview.cn 2006-01-03 11:51:22
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 2 (Xinhuanet)-- The chemicals in tail hair discloses the secret of the African elephants' diet and movement, U.S. scientists reported on Monday.
Analyzing specific tail hair chemicals, and tracking the subject elephants with radio collars, can help reduce human-elephant conflicts and determine where to establish sanctuaries to protect the endangered creatures, claimed the researchers.
Their findings were published in the Jan. 3 online issue of thejournal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"This is a new method to understand elephant behavior and help ensure their survival," said Thure Cerling, the study's lead author at the University of Utah.
The study involved analysis of "stable isotopes" of carbon and nitrogen in African elephants' tail hair to determine what and where they ate while they were also tracked with Global Positioning System (GPS) collars.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-01/03/content_4002839.htm
Zoo's lynx one contented cat
By ALEX LAPUT
SPECIAL TO THE CHIEFTAIN
Our featured Pueblo Zoo resident this month, a beautiful lynx named Kaya, has only been in town for a few months.
She came to us from Canada, and is about 4 years old. You may see her in the Woods area that starts across from the education building near the zoo's entrance. Her enclosure is the first one after you cross the footbridge.
Kaya is very attractive and attentive. Her keeper, Ashley Byers, says that Kaya likes to sit and watch the bobcats in the exhibit next to hers. We can't say for sure if she is having friendly thoughts about the bobcats or not.
http://www.chieftain.com/life/1136187203/3
Little Rock Zoo sends Siberian tigers north to cooler climate
Associated Press
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - In a swap, the Little Rock Zoo is sending a pair of Siberian tigers to the Minnesota Zoo, with the first leaving Tuesday, because the steamy Arkansas summers have been deemed uncomfortable for the breed.
The American Zoo and Aquarium Association recommended that Siberian tigers kept in warmer climates be shipped north and swapped with zoo tigers in cooler climates.
"The long, hot summers just aren't too comfortable for tigers that are predisposed to like cooler climates," said Debbie Thompson, the Little Rock Zoo's carnivore curator.
The Little Rock Zoo is to receive a pair of 2-year-old Indo-Chinese tigers from the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Neb., in exchange for Siberian brothers Serge and Dmitri, who have lived in Arkansas since 1996.
Brent Day, the Little Rock Zoo's large cat animal keeper, said Monday the Siberian tigers are also being sent to Minnesota to mate with female tigers. He said Serge and Dmitri's genetics are highly ranked nationally for mating.
"They're going ultimately to be dads," Day said.
The Indo-Chinese tigers should arrive by the end of the spring and will have to go through a 30-day quarantine and reintroduction period before they are on display at the beginning of the summer, zoo officials said.
The zoo plans to bring in female tigers to mate with the new Indo-Chinese tigers as well, Day said.
Serge will be the first Little Rock tiger moved to Minnesota. Dmitri should follow in March or April, Day said. Siberian tigers are native to eastern Asia and northern China where snow covers the ground for most of the year. The pair came to Little Rock from the Denver Zoo when they were 2-years-old.
Serge and Dmitri never seemed very bothered by the Arkansas heat, Day said. They often spent their summers lounging in waterfalls and pools in the zoo's big cat habitat or in their attached, air-conditioned building.
"They did well here," Day said. "They'll just do better there. They just prefer to be cold for six, eight, nine months as opposed to Arkansas weather being warm for six, eight, nine months."
http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/state/13534810.htm
The Cute Factor
By NATALIE ANGIER
Published: January 3, 2006
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 - If the mere sight of Tai Shan, the roly-poly, goofily gamboling masked bandit of a panda cub now on view at the National Zoo isn't enough to make you melt, then maybe the crush of his human onlookers, the furious flashing of their cameras and the heated gasps of their mass rapture will do the trick.
"Omigosh, look at him! He is too cute!"
"How adorable! I wish I could just reach in there and give him a big squeeze!"
"He's so fuzzy! I've never seen anything so cute in my life!"
A guard's sonorous voice rises above the burble. "OK, folks, five oohs and aahs per person, then it's time to let someone else step up front."
The 6-month-old, 25-pound Tai Shan - whose name is pronounced tie-SHON and means, for no obvious reason, "peaceful mountain" - is the first surviving giant panda cub ever born at the Smithsonian's zoo. And though the zoo's adult pandas have long been among Washington's top tourist attractions, the public debut of the baby in December has unleashed an almost bestial frenzy here. Some 13,000 timed tickets to see the cub were snapped up within two hours of being released, and almost immediately began trading on eBay for up to $200 a pair.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/03/science/03cute.html?hp
Rain washes away Lahore Zoo’s hopes again
LAHORE: The long-awaited inauguration of Lahore Zoo’s master plan by Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi was delayed because of rain on Monday. The ceremony had earlier been called off because of the October 8 earthquake.
The recent version of the zoo’s two-year master plan was formulated a year and a half ago after much contemplation. Debates, discussions and meetings about the plan had been taking place since 1998 and several changes were made to the plan on zoo experts’ suggestions.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C01%5C03%5Cstory_3-1-2006_pg7_20
It's a zoo out there, or so we are told
Animals have important lessons to teach us about nature and the simple joys of life.
Or do they?
If they were afforded the social mobility, credit and literary aspirations of humans, perhaps they would try their paws at Internet dating, too -- or worse, follow the path of Sammy the Duck, a bitter alcoholic poet teaching at a New England College and trying desperately to finish his second book of verse.
Like Aesop for a multicultural age, Scott Bradfield plumbs these muddled anthropomorphic depths in Hot Animal Love.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/lifestyle/orl-love0106jan01,0,1884639.story?coll=orl-home-lifestyle\
Nashville Zoo kicking butts
By Associated Press
December 31, 2005
NASHVILLE - For its New Year's resolution, the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere will be giving up smoking.
Starting Sunday, the zoo will no longer allow smoking anywhere in its 70-acre facility, a benefit for both children and animals, officials said.
The zoo previously had designated outdoor smoking areas in the park, but the zoo's governing board heard too many complaints.
"Moms with kids would tell us: 'We don't want to sit outside and, even though the smoking area was far enough away, if the wind direction was right, get the smoke,' " said Rick Schwartz, Nashville Zoo's president.
All of the board members agreed and voted to remove the smoking areas permanently, making it the first Tennessee zoo to stamp out smoking completely.
"The decision at the board meeting was unanimous, and we feel comfortable with it," Schwartz said. "This is an environment primarily for children."
The Memphis Zoo, home of the Chinese giant pandas, allows smoking on zoo grounds except in indoor facilities. The Knoxville Zoo allows smoking only on the main pathways in the park and not within animal exhibits.
By banning smoking completely, the Nashville Zoo is following the trend of several large zoos in New York City, Denver, Detroit, Houston and Los Angeles, according to a survey by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.
Spring Hill resident Sarah Rhodes brings her 2-year-old daughter to the zoo at least twice a month and says she is pleased with the smoking ban.
"I grew up in California, where you can't smoke in public places, so when we moved here, I was appalled that everywhere you go, you get blasted with smoke," Rhodes said.
Zoo spokesman Jim Bartoo said the smoking areas were hard to enforce and cigarette butts were found inside animal cages.
"Health of the animals is always a concern, but this is a child-friendly environment, and we want to reflect that by being smoke-free," he said.
Not everyone is happy with the zoo's decision.
"I don't think it's fair," said smoker and regular zoo visitor Randy Hart. "As long as they have those designated areas away from others, then why not? It's a hard habit to break."
http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/state/article/0,1406,KNS_348_4353733,00.html
Indian zoos provide specialised care for rare species
By Channel NewsAsia's India Correspondent Vaibhav Varma
India may be home to some 800 rare animal species, but 94 of them are endangered.
Our correspondent looks at efforts to keep them from extinction.
At the Botanical Gardens in East India's Kolkata city, one can spot some treasures of the animal kingdom.
One turtle, believed to be the world's oldest at 114 years old, lives in the park and its care and upkeep recognised as a major achievement.
Or perhaps you want to spot the rare Indian zebra.
Over at the Arinagar Anna Zoo in Chennai city, the race is on to save the animal with the zoo developing specialised facilities to ensure its survival.
The giant Indian squirrel and the reticulated python are also among 17 rare animal species that are provided with special care there.
These long-term programmes aim to enhance the wildlife habitat, and assist in animal reproduction problems.
Behavioural patterns are also studied in order to try out safer breeding techniques to increase their population.
P C Tyagi, Director, Arinagar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai, said: "As a part of the annual collection and breeding plan we are concentrating on breeding of endangered species. We are not concentrating on the least concerned species being bred in every zoo. These species are important to us, so most of the endangered species collection that we have, the animals are breeding. And when they breed over here and their numbers increase, we give them to other zoos."
Science is also increasingly being employed to prop up birth rates of exotic species of pheasants and other bird species.
Although the move is towards using artificial incubation, officials say they still try to stick to natural processes as much as possible.
Neeti Vashisht, Officer, Lucknow Zoological Gardens, said: "The incubator follows the same system as natural breeding - for example in the tilting and balancing of temperature and humidity. It is a modernised method of hatching but it is not going to harm the foetuses. The pheasants will be as healthy as if they were born normally."
India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 safeguards several species.
However weakness in enforcement infrastructure, and lack of awareness has been a huge hurdle to the well-being of these treasures.
Besides initiatives by zoological parks, education is the other required thrust area. - CNA/ch
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southasia/view/186045/1/.html
National Zoo tiger cubs head for Denver
By DERRILL HOLLY
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
WASHINGTON -- Three little brothers whose antics have drawn crowds at the National Zoo for more than a year are all grown up now and getting kicked out of the house.
Marah, Jalan and Besar - Sumatran tiger cubs - are approaching 200 pounds apiece, an adult's size. Their mother is pushing them away, another sign that they are no longer little kittens even though they still play that way.
Next week, the 19-month-old males are being shipped to Landry's Downtown Aquarium in Denver to become part of a worldwide captive-breeding program. The Denver facility already has two 7-year-old males and a 5-year-old female.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1501AP_Big_Cats.html
Mill Mt. Zoo prairie dog town not in danger
Animal experts in Norfolk have ended their search for missing prairie dogs at the Virginia Zoo. The dirt filled exhibit collapsed last week. Four dogs were found dead, but experts don't believe their deaths are related to the collapse.
The prairie dog exhibit at Mill Mountain Zoo has been a staple for several decades. Tunnels there are well established which limit the chances of a collapse. Prairie dogs design mounds around their tunnel entrances to keep water out of their elaborate towns. Dogs often move hay over their entrances when they sense heavy rain or extreme cold is on the way.
http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=4303076&nav=S6aK
Petting Zoo Attack Blamed On Vicious Dogs
POSTED: 11:18 am EST December 30, 2005
WATKINSVILLE -- A vicious pack of dogs is being blamed for killing all but three animals in an Oconee County petting zoo and other attacks over the past month in rural northeast Georgia.
The dog owners have been cited by Oconee County Animal Control for dozens of attacks on livestock and pets during the frenzy. The attacks ended Monday when the leader of the dog pack was caught and another of the dogs was shot and wounded by farmer John Washington.
Washington said the only animals remaining alive at his petting zoo are a peacock, a turkey and a mule. Some of the killed animals -- including a large porker named "Miss Piggy" -- had been attractions at the zoo since it opened nearly 12 years ago.
Officers said a 7-year-old girl's pet goat also fell victim to the dogs as they rampaged through the county.
A large mastiff named "Nub" is believed responsible for most of the recent slaughter. He was trapped by animal control officers at Washington's farm and will be euthanized.
Animal Control officials would not release the names of the owner of the mastiff and other dogs. The owners must appear in court February 10 to answer to the alleged violations.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/5732772/detail.html
Zoo bans smoking
Starting Sunday, Nashville zoo officials are banning smoking on the 70-acre campus following visitor complaints and sightings of cigarette butts in animal cages.
The zoo joins a few of the country's largest zoos in banning smoking altogether, according to a survey that American Zoo and Aquarium Association did for the Nashville Zoo.
Zoo spokesman Jim Bartoo said officials have struggled with the issue for years. The zoo had designated smoking areas, but the rule was difficult to enforce, he said.
Bartoo says people spotted smoking will be asked to stop or leave the zoo.
http://www.wbir.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=31066
Zoos: when did your kid start enjoying them?
Let it be known: I hate the zoo. Seriously, I loathe it. Of course, the concept of the zoo isn't what bothers me -- I like the idea of having a place where you can see all the world's animals, where reseach can be conducted to help save endangered species -- it's the application of the concept which bugs me. It breaks my heart to see these animals in tiny cages, rather than roaming free in their homelands.
But now, I'm a mother. And since my 21-month-old can now identify a kangaroo, and tell the difference between a wombat and a caribou (thank you Baby Einstein), my husband and I decided we'd swallow our own zoo-biases and take her to see the animals. So this morning, off we went.
http://www.bloggingbaby.com/2005/12/30/zoos-when-did-your-kid-start-enjoying-them/
Orangutan attempts to find beloved via blog
Hongshan Forest Zoo in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, is planning to matchmake worldwide for Leshen, the only one orangutan in the zoo. Manager with the Primate Management Section under the zoo noted that they have launched a Chinese-English bilingual blog, leshen2005.blog.tom.com, for it.
The Orangutan, originating in Indonesia, is one of the world's most endangered species, with only 6,000 survivals globally and some 200 at home. Leshen, in that sense, is regarded as the treasure of Hongshan Forest Zoo. Born in 1999, Leshan is the first and the only orangutan nurtured in China and the six-year-old has reached its adulthood now. "We have had contacts with zoos in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Qinhuangdao, but failed to find an appropriate mate for him. Therefore we have to send out invitation of marriage worldwide."
It is said that all the relevant information about Leshan and his image can be found at the blog. Meanwhile, Hongshan Forest Zoo is contacting two zoos in Japan.
By People's Daily Online
http://english.people.com.cn/200512/30/eng20051230_231907.html
Zoo games: Let them eat meat
Cyclones, TCU set to tackle each other after contest with the tigers.
By RANDY PETERSON
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
December 29, 2005
Houston, Texas — Jason Berryman was acting a bit cocky, telling anyone who would listen that "I'd love to wrestle a tiger sometime," when suddenly the tiger with whom he wanted to go mano a tigro roared loudly in the background.
"Uh," Berryman uttered, "maybe not."
Welcome to Iowa State's 30-minute stint at the Houston Zoo, where five Cyclone players and five players from Texas Christian University hurled large chunks of raw red meat to hungry tigers 30 feet away.
Welcome to a little zany fun as the players took a respite from preparing for Saturday's 1:30 p.m. Houston Bowl at Reliant Stadium.
This was one of the sidelights of the bowl, where players from both sides performed for the cameras.
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051229/SPORTS020602/512290362/1017/SPORTS06
Meerkats family statue wins over zoo youngsters
Dec 29 2005
Daily Post
A NEW family has arrived in Chester Zoo and is already proving popular with visitors.
The latest additions are a family of bronze meerkats who have taken their place in the Tsavo area of the zoo, close to the real meerkats and the rhinos, near to the main entrance.
Sculptor Annette Yarrow, from Hampshire, who also produced the zoo's baby elephant bronze, designed the new life-size models to show how a meerkat family live as a group.
Taking centre stage is one meerkat "on guard", with one sitting, one feeding, one pregnant and youngsters playing.
Zoo education officer Gill Wells said: "The bronzes are particularly popular with young children as they are great for photographs and help them learn about the animals. Visitors can touch them and get a real sense of their size and features, as well as them being great fun.
"We have been looking to increase the number of artwork pieces in the zoo and this sculpture is practical too as it doubles as a seating area.
"Bronze is a nice medium to work with as it improves with age. We are all really pleased with the design."
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=16529072&method=full&siteid=50061&headline=meerkats-family-statue-wins-over-zoo-youngsters--name_page.html
Crowds unfazed by zoo manhunt
NATALIE KENT
Friday, 30 December 2005
Tourists have remained faithful to Dubbo's Western Plains Zoo despite the pre-Christmas manhunt for fugitive Malcolm Naden. As Dubbo police conducted internal and external searches of the premises hundreds of holiday- goers braved the sweltering heat yesterday to enjoy the zoo's unique wildlife experience. Many were unaware of the manhunt that took place on December 23 while others consciously decided not to let the suspected presence of the alleged murderer affect their holiday plans. First-time visitors the Hirayama family from Melbourne were having a wonderful time cycling around the zoo. Admitting to not seeing any national news coverage about the situation at the zoo in the lead up to Christmas, Tomoji Hirayama said his wife Yachiyo and two children eight-year-old Ryo and four-year-old Chisatho were very excited to be in Dubbo and seeing the animals. "We are having a great time," he said. More informed Sydney couple Alison and Mike Dilley were told "a little about it " prior to their first visit but decided not to let the recent event prevent their visit.
http://dubbo.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=local&story_id=448727&category=General%20News&m=12&y=2005
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