Zoos
Zoo supdt suspended, panel to plan makeover
MUMBAI: A day after the stampede in an enclosure which killed 13 deer, the authorities on Tuesday sacked the Byculla zoo superintendent.
The Bombay high court has also converted newspaper reports on the incident into a public interest litigation on the state of affairs in the zoo, said civic officials.
Confirming that the deaths were caused by a stampede when some dogs entered the enclosure, civic commissioner Johny Joseph said, "Preliminary enquiry findings show they died of internal injuries and haemorrhage due to crashing against the walls.
As per the recommendations of the Central Zoo Authority, we were building a natural moat around the enclosure for the deer. The fence was removed to make way for the moat. A temporary fence was set up closer to the animals.
The gap between the bars of the fence was more than necessary which allowed the stray dogs easy entry," said Joseph...
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1415271.cms
Zoo, aquarium figure runs for N.O. mayor
By JOE GYAN JR.
New Orleans bureau
Published: Feb 15, 2006
NEW ORLEANS — Ron Forman, credited with transforming the city’s zoo from an “animal ghetto” into one of the nation’s finest wildlife attractions and proving naysayers wrong again by building a wildly popular downtown aquarium, said Tuesday he wants to be the mayor who leads New Orleans out of its post-Hurricane Katrina morass.
Forman, who took a leave of absence Monday from the Audubon Nature Institute, where he has served as president and chief executive officer since 1977, officially announced his candidacy for mayor Tuesday at the Audubon Tea Room on the Audubon Zoo’s grounds.
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/2313371.html
MCGM probing death of 12 black bucks at Mumbai Zoo
Mumbai, Feb. 14 (PTI): The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) is investigating the death of 12 black bucks at Veer Jeejamata Bhosle Zoo in central Mumbai yesterday, an official said today.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner V N Kalam Patil, who is probing the case, said the conclusive report on the episode, including post-mortem report of the blackbucks, along with other inquiries which had been carried out would be submitted to the Municipal Commissioner.
The zoo authorities have also sent the viscera samples to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for further investigations, Patil told PTI.
Three other injured black bucks were undergoing treatment, he said.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200602141865.htm
'Amazonia' Coming To Mesker Park Zoo
The Amazon is coming to Evansville's Mesker Park Zoo in 2007.
The new zoo project, called "Amazonia," will be the largest expansion in the zoo's 75-year history. But first, officials are extending the bidding process before breaking ground.
Amazonia will be a 10,000-square-foot South American rain forest, with new animals including monkeys, birds, jaguars and fish which will be able to be viewed underwater. They will all be in a rain forest plant life setting.
Visitors will enter through a brand-new complex, and be able to dine at two new restaurants.
http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=4501590&nav=3w6o
2 condors being treated at Phoenix Zoo
John Faherty
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 14, 2006 05:45 PM
Linda Cava approached bird 149 slowly because bird 149 is a very special animal.
Of course considering the California Condor is one of the most endangered species on the planet, all of them are special.
There are a total of 273 alive today and fewer than half of them live in the wild
That's what makes bird 149, a nine year-old female, extraordinary.
Not only has she thrived in the wild since her release in the late '90s, she is also the mother of a wild condor. A healthy baby born in the wild is a rare and extraordinary event.
Last month bird 149 and a three year-old male condor were captured in the Vermilion Cliffs area northeast of the Grand Canyon. They are being treated at the Phoenix Zoo for lead poisoning.
The animals will not be on display at the zoo.
Preparing to give the condor some medicine Tuesday morning, Cava approached bird 149 with a large net and plenty of caution.
Experience has taught Cava that trying to subdue a very large bird in a very small cage is a delicate procedure.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0214condors14-ON.html
Readers: Elephants aren't meant for zoos
Tucson, Arizona Published: 02.15.2006
The following letters are in response to the Feb. 12 column "An enormous dilemma."
Better life awaits in Tennessee
Thanks to Jim Kiser, who researched the elephant issue looking at what's best for the elephants, not necessarily the City Council or the Reid Park Zoo.
It would be nice if all those interests coincided, but clearly, they don't.
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/115859
Zoo board hires 'anonymous' director
Posted: 2/13/2006 10:37:54 PM
The Chaffee Zoo has a new director, but we don't exactly know who he is yet.
The Zoo has been without a director since November when Donna Fernandes resigned.
Board members won’t tell us the new director's name but say he will get things back on track.
Board member Sheri Manning-Cartwright told CBS 47, "We wanted a candidate who really is here for the long haul … someone who plans to make Fresno his home."
Former zoo director Donna Fernandes speaks highly of her successor.
http://www.cbs47.tv/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=7A3201CD-A64C-495A-9D0A-EA1E7019239F
Barker goes to bat for elephants
The director of the Los Angeles Zoo on Saturday disputed game show host Bob Barker's comments about the condition of the zoo's three elephants.
Barker on Friday pleaded with the City Council to close the zoo's elephant exhibit, saying the pachyderms lived in misery and that two of the three elephants were ill.
"His information was wrong," said John Lewis, the zoo's director.
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060213/ENT/602130311/-1/CINCI
Newborn giraffe dies in zoo fire
By Fiona Govan
(Filed: 13/02/2006)
A baby giraffe and its mother died when fire broke out at Paignton zoo in Devon last night.
Two elephants, a male giraffe and a zoo keeper escaped the flames, which started in straw bedding in an enclosure.
Thirty-five firefighters and four appliances were sent to the fire but they were unable to save Kizi, an adult giraffe, and the calf she gave birth to last Monday. The calf had not yet been given a name.
The tragedy shocked staff. Phil Knowling, a spokesman for the zoo, said: "It could not be more poignant. After experiencing such happiness over the last few days at the progress of the mother and baby, we have gone to the other extreme and been plunged into a horrible, situation. It is a very grim day for everyone at the zoo."
The calf was the fourth to be born to the pair. The first two were rejected by their mother and the third died of heart failure shortly after birth in 2004.
Last week Jim Dicks, a senior keeper at the zoo, said that mother and baby were bonding well.
"This time she is looking after her youngster and being very attentive and very calm," he said.
Neil Bemment, the zoo's curator of mammals, said: "So far everything is going well. We are really pleased that Kizi has at last got the hang of motherhood."
The fire service said the cause of the blaze would be fully investigated, adding: "At this early stage it is not thought to be suspicious."
A police spokesman said that an investigation had started to establish whether arsonists were to blame.
He said: "It is too early to speculate on what started the blaze. Police will await full liaison with the fire investigation team. Until that time, officers at the scene will keep an open mind."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/02/13/nzoo13.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/02/13/ixhome.html
''Sudden death'' of bongo reported at Virginia Zoo
By STEVE STONE , The Virginian-Pilot © February 13, 2006 Last updated 12:37 AM Feb. 13
NORFOLK — An adult bongo that appeared healthy earlier in the day died at the Virginia Zoo on Sunday.
An initial examination showed no signs of illness or injury, a zoo official said.
“It was a sudden death,” said Lewis Greene, executive director of the zoo. “This animal, for all intents and purposes, appeared healthy.”
The bongo was about 12 years old, Greene said, “which, for that species, is an older animal.”
Bongos are large, colorful antelope with large ears. They are bright chestnut to dark brown with vivid white-yellow markings, stripes and spiraled horns. They feed mostly on leaves, vines, bark, grasses, herbs, roots and fruits.
http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=99469&ran=174
Loss at the zoo
A much-anticipated birth ends in surprise and sadness
(February 12, 2006) — The death during delivery of Genny C's calf — Genny C is the African elephant who is one of the most popular residents of the Seneca Park Zoo — was an unexpected arrow to the heart of the county's dedicated zoo community and all those who followed the long gestation with rising anticipation.
County Executive Maggie Brooks reflected that pain — more acute for the surprise of it — last week when she spoke of the baby's death. She and others had seen this pregnancy and the birth as something positive and uplifting amid the tough issues and problems of day-to-day life. And she was right to see it that way.
All babies brings smiles and chase away dark clouds. And a baby elephant — as difficult as elephant reproduction in captivity is — would bring those smiles and more zoo visitors as well.
But there is better news on a broader front. The county has built a far more commodious enclosure for Genny C and her roommate, Lilac, adding a third stall for perhaps another elephant down the line.
And, one day, perhaps another pregnancy and a successful delivery. Life surely is fragile. But it is persistent, too.
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060212/OPINION04/602120308/1041/OPINION
Costly pandas to face US expulsion
By Francis Harris in Washington
(Filed: 13/02/2006)
Panda diplomacy, the cuddly symbol of the West's links with China, was in crisis yesterday after US zoos threatened to expel their expensive guests.
Atlanta zoo, in Georgia, and others say they cannot afford the rental fees charged by China: about $2 million (£1.14 million) a year per pair. Each new panda born in America costs the zoos $600,000 on top.
The Chinese are making $80 million a year from their American panda rental business. Dennis Kelly, the head of Atlanta zoo, says that if negotiations to cut the fees fail the animals will be declared panda non grata.
The zoos say the pandas cost five times more than the next most expensive creature, the elephant.
Pandas symbolised the improving links between the US and China after President Richard Nixon was presented with a pair during the first visit of an American leader to communist China in 1972. But the Chinese authorities soon stopped giving the animals as gifts and asked for hard cash.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/02/13/wpanda13.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/02/13/ixnewstop.html
Malayian Tapir born at Belfast Zoo
Belfast Zoo is celebrating the birth of a rare Malayan Tapir.
Andrew Hope, Curator of Belfast Zoo said, "This is our fifth surviving calf and he is a huge achievement for all the staff at Belfast Zoo, as we are only one of seventeen zoos in Europe to have these magnificent animals.
"There have only been four other Malayan tapir births in the last six months world wide."
http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=70446&pt=n
Feeding zoo inmates for departed soul
UPHOLDING THE philosophy of jeevatma, they fed zoo animals to immortalise their departed loved ones. They found some relief in the unspoken gratitude of speechless creatures. The day after the first death anniversary of their son, the bereaved parent visited zoo on Tuesday to feed the animals.
The Gunjan (echo) of their love hear loud on the Valentine’s Day, when the world reaches out to all beloveds. After giving away Rs 18,300 for animal adoption to the Lucknow Zoo in memory of their son Gunjan Dubey who was murdered last year, the old bereaved parent—Lakshmi and KP Dubey—visited zoo to feed animals.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1625943,0015002500010002.htm
Gulf Coast Zoo's storm stories told on national TV
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
When a hurricane comes ablowin', people aren't the only ones put out by nature's wrath. Animals, both wild and domestic, also must cope with the threat of wind and water and the hardship of relocation.
So, too, do zoo animals living on the Gulf Coast and right in the strike zone of three recent hurricanes.
Tonight, the cable channel Animal Planet begins a 13-part series called "The Little Zoo That Could." It tells the story of the Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf Shores as zookeepers have had to evacuate more than 200 animals inland, including black bears, Bengal tigers, Capuchin monkeys and other species. The caretakers of these animals have had plenty of practice with this sort of thing, given their experiences with hurricanes Ivan, Dennis and Katrina.
http://www.al.com/tv/mobileregister/mbrantley.ssf?/base/entertainment/1139998503207330.xml&coll=3
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