Zoos
The Elephant Turf War
Humans are rushing to the aid of captive pachyderms, and Woodland Park Zoo is in the path of the stampede.
In 1990, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association deemed Woodland Park Zoo's elephant forest "best new exhibit." Today, Seattle's seemingly plush pachyderm quarters have garnered a much different title. The animal-rights organization In Defense of Animals has named Woodland Park Zoo one of the country's 10 worst for elephants.
Critics say Woodland Park, and most zoos for that matter, don't offer elephants enough space, and advocating for zoo elephants has become the cause du jour for animal-rights groups and even some zoo professionals. They blame a variety of health issues that arise in captive pachyderms, including arthritis, foot disease, and neurosis, on lack of space. Woodland Park Zoo's elephant forest, which comprises about 1 acre, exceeds zoo association standards, but it falls short of the area many critics consider necessary for elephants to live comfortably.
Official: Marine World bird flu unlikely
Most cases of the potentially fatal bird flu have been found in domesticated birds, such as chickens, ducks and turkeys.
Though there are about 200 birds of 43 species at the park, Vallejo's Six Flags Marine World officials are confident no outbreak of the bird flu is likely there.
"Our top priority is to ensure the safety of our animals," Marine World spokesman Paul Garcia said. He added there are preventive measures in place.
Anyone seeking access to the park's back areas must step into a disinfecting foot bath, for instance, he said.
"All uniforms are washed here on site to avoid the risk of contamination from people's household pets," Garcia said. "It's a common procedure among all zoos and aquariums."
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/todaysnews/ci_3532074
Adoption for wild horses, burros to be held here
Need a burro or a horse? Know someone who does?
On March 9-11, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management will set up shop at the Grimes County Fairgrounds to offer wild horses and burros for adoption.
According to Paul McGuire with the BLM in Moore, Okla., these are animals that roam free on public lands in the west and are protected by federal law. Excess animals are periodically removed from the range and made available to the public for adoption.
Those considering adopting will have to be approved by the bureau, but this can be done on-the-spot at the fairgrounds.
The minimum adoption fee for most animals, according to McGuire, is $125.
On Thursday, March 9, the animals can be previewed and applications approved from 4 - 6 p.m.
On Friday, March 10, doors open at 8 a.m. and the competitive bid adoption begins at 10 a.m. Walk-up adoptions will follow until 6 p.m.
Walk-up adoptions will be held Saturday, March 11, from 8 a.m. until noon.
For more information call 1-866-4-Mustangs.
http://www.navasotaexaminer.com/articles/2006/02/21/news/news11.txt
Zoo talks continue; a new deal headed to council today
February 21, 2006
By MARISOL BELLO
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's administration this afternoon plans to send the Detroit City Council a revised plan for the Detroit Zoo in the hopes that they will reconsider their previous vote to reject a proposal that would have kept the more than 75-year-old institution running.
Deputy Mayor Anthony Adams said the administration will send the council a final proposal to turn the daily operations of the Detroit Zoo over to the Detroit Zoological Society.
The council voted down the proposal Saturday night by a 7-2 vote.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060221/NEWS11/60221007
Betty White honored by L.A. Zoo
Feb 21, 2006, 19:32 GMT
LOS ANGELES, CA, United States (UPI) -- Emmy Award-winning actress and animal rights activist Betty White has been appointed 'Ambassador to the Animals' for the Los Angeles Zoo.
About 50 attended a Monday ceremony at the zoo during which White was presented with a bronze place that will be placed near her favorite exhibit -- the gorillas, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.
White, 84, has worked with many animal welfare groups through the years and has been a board member of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association since 1974, the Times said.
She has written two animal-related books and received the American Veterinary Medical Association`s Humane Award in the 1980s.
The Television Hall of Famer has had a number of memorable TV roles during her 50-year career including Sue Ann Nivens on 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' and Rose Nylund on 'The Golden Girls.'
Copyright 2006 by United Press International
http://people.monstersandcritics.com/article_1131757.php/Betty_White_honored_by_L.A._Zoo
New exhibit at Brevard Zoo teaches students about dinosaur life
By VALERIE NIENBERG
valerie.nienberg@scripps.com
February 19, 2006
A stroll through the Brevard Zoo's new exhibit, "Extreme Dinosaurs," will make you feel like you've just stepped into Jurassic Park.
Only here, the animals won't try to eat you.
"Extreme Dinosaurs," which is open through May 14, features 12 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs that growl, roar, chirp and stare you down. Set throughout a winding tropical path, they depict scenes of everyday dino life, from fighting to feasting, as well as mothering.
http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/lifestyle/article/0,2821,TCP_24451_4472820,00.html
Sumatran orangutan born at zoo
January arrival of thriving baby boy applaude
Melissa Leong, National Post
Published: Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Conservation groups and ape experts around the world are buoyed by the birth of a Sumatran orangutan, a critically endangered animal, at the Toronto Zoo.
"It is a crisis for orangutans in the world. Every single birth that is successful helps with that crisis," said Dr. Rob Shumaker, lead scientist at Great Ape Trust, a research facility based in Des Moines, Iowa.
"Births and pairings are managed very carefully. Anytime there's a baby orangutan born in a good facility, it's a good reason to celebrate."
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=4e59d574-631b-4aec-ad57-1ebd9b3e872e&k=99337
Lion punctures zoo worker's hand
There is to be a full inquiry into the incident involving Indu
A Devon zoo maintenance worker had his hand punctured by a lion while trying to mend a fence.
Indu, a two-year-old Asiatic, bit the worker's hand as he replaced a fence separating the lions from tigers at Paignton Zoo.
The man, who has not been named, was taken to Torbay Hospital in Torquay on Monday and treated for two wounds to the back of his hand.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/4735920.stm
Lawmaker to introduce bill to allow online betting on horses
A state representative from Blaine says he plans to introduce a bill that would authorize online betting on horses.
Republican Representative Andy Westerberg says he thinks the prospects of the bill passing this session are slim, but he wants to open up the discussion.
Westerberg says his proposal would permit, regulate and tax betting on horses over the Internet. It would only deal with horse racing. The federal government considers online casinos illegal, but hasn't been able to shut most of them down because they operate offshore.
Horse-racing advocates say online betting would allow Canterbury Park and the state government to share some of the profits being lost in Minnesota to Internet bookies.
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=119220
Local Marina Affected by Runoff from New Developments
FEBRUARY 20, 2006 -- The Carolina Beach marina that's filling up with sand and debris is starting to get some attention from town leaders.
The owner of Black's Marina says runoff from new developments is flowing through the town's drain onto her property. Mona Black says the road sludge and mud are causing her boat slips to become shallow in places.
More than a year after the problem began, town officials are investigating their responsibility for the runoff. They are sending a street sweep out daily to clean Saint Joseph Street where the marina is located. Town employees are still working on a solution to the problem.
http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?s=4527164
Humane Society announces Genesis winners
Feb 22, 2006, 3:50 GMT
WASHINGTON, DC, United States (UPI) -- The Humane Society of the United States will give 'Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit' a Genesis Award for shedding positive light on animals.
The 20th Genesis Awards will be taped March 18 at the Beverly Hilton and broadcast on Animal Planet May 6, the HSUS said in a news release.
In addition to 'Wallace & Gromit,' the feature films 'An Unfinished Life,' 'Duma' and 'The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill' will also receive Genesis Awards.
Ben Stein will host a special segment during the ceremony called 'The Heroes of Katrina.'
Among those being cited for drawing attention to the plight of animals during and after the hurricane will be CNN`s Anderson Cooper; David Jackson of KCAL-TV, Los Angeles; ABC`s 'Good Morning America;' PBS`s 'Now and Nature;' CBS` 'Sunday Morning;' KARE-TV, Minneapolis; and 'Animal Planet Heroes.'
http://movies.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1131876.php/Humane_Society_announces_Genesis_winners
Zoos might slaughter bird
Paris - Europe's zoos are drawing up plans to vaccinate, confine or, in worst-case scenarios, to slaughter their avian boarders in order to prevent the spread of the deadly strain of bird flu.
The H5N1 strain - lethal to feathered friends and humans alike - has been detected in hundreds of migratory water fowl found dead across Europe, and animal health officials worry the disease could insinuate itself into open-air bird populations in hundreds of zoos and nature preserves.
In the absence of centralised guidelines from European officials, individual zoos have adopted their own strategies for coping with the threat, ranging from vaccinating everything with feathers to confinement indoors.
http://www.news24.com/News24/World/Bird_flu/0,,2-10-1959_1885736,00.html
Swiss horses dominate White Turf
Switzerland enjoyed unprecedented success at the annual White Turf horseracing meet this year, winning all but one flat race on the frozen lake of St Moritz.
A Swiss was also crowned King of the Engadine after winning all three races in the centenary edition of the skijörking competition.
The unusual setting, 6,000 feet above sea level in canton Graubünden, is home to Switzerland's only true international race meeting, attracting particular interest from around Europe
Top Swiss trainer Miroslav Weiss, who runs a stable in Urdorf, canton Zurich, hopes local success in this year's White Turf can spur on further achievements on the continent and greater recognition for the sport in Switzerland.
"The quality of horses in Switzerland has been getting better and better in recent years," he told swissinfo. "We are able to compete on more equal terms with other European countries, and my horses have won races in Italy, Germany and France in recent months.
"There are no real top quality racetracks in Switzerland and there is not enough land or interest here to build one. But Swiss horses are now making more of an impact in other countries."
http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=201&sid=6491533&cKey=1140538153000
Third giraffe dies after zoo fire
Paddy the giraffe, injured in a fire which claimed the lives of his mate and a week-old calf at Paignton Zoo in Devon, has died.
Paddy was suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation and despite intensive treatment, he collapsed and died early on Saturday.
Vets had prescribed antibiotics and steroids to counter the effects of shock and ease his breathing.
Paddy was born in January 1991 and came to Paignton Zoo in 1993.
It's amazing that he lasted as long as he did
Phil Knowling, Paignton Zoo
Paddy's mate Kizi and her baby died on Sunday night in the fire, thought to have been caused by an electrical fault.
Paignton Zoo spokesman Phil Knowling said: "Veterinary experts weren't able to offer very much specialist advice because these cases are so difficult to treat.
"Animals rarely survive what Paddy went through; it's amazing that he lasted as long as he did.
"We did absolutely everything we could to help him. In the end it was quick and peaceful. This is a sad day for keepers, zoo staff and all our visitors."
Paignton Zoo has received messages of support from all over the world, as well as cards, flowers, drawings and donations since the fire.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/4727274.stm
Oakland Zoo's baby giraffe makes his debut
OAKLAND, Calif. The Oakland Zoo's new bundle of baby joy weighs one-hundred-seventy pounds and stands well over six feet tall.
He's a two-week old baby giraffe born in captivity. Zoo employees are calling him "the Brave Little Toaster" after some animated children's films.
The giraffe has grown two inches and gained twenty pounds since he was born.
The giraffe has been busy getting tests and meeting a few reporters. He'll be ready to join the herd and stick his neck out to the public in a week or two.
http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=4521264&nav=9qrx
Riverbanks Zoo hosts confederate re-enactment
(Columbia) February 18, 2006 - Civil war enthusiasts paid a visit to the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden's historic site Saturday to take a trip back in time.
141 years ago, General Sherman's army crossed over the Saluda River and into Columbia over the same land where the zoo and garden are located today.
Tourists had the opportunity to visit the Confederate relic room, listen to presentations about Sherman's military strategy and see war era uniforms.
Re-enactors say the most important thing they want people to take away from today's activities is to learn more about history on their own.
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4521731
Local rancher accused of neglecting horses
Updated: Feb 21, 2006 11:04pm
A horse owner in Falls County has been given a warning for not feeding enough to his 27 horses.
Those horses are on land in Chilton without grass and have resorted to eating tree bark to survive.
The horse owner, Chuck McGinnis says drought conditions have led to extremely high hay prices. He says he can't afford the hay and is trying to sell the horses but refuses to sell the horses for slaughter.
"Most people who come out, want the horses for dog meat, and I don't sell my horses for that, I want to find them a good home," says McGinnis."
Director of the Wild Horse Foundation Ray Field says "We're here, this past Winter, because of the slow motion death we call drought. We've seen a lot of people who are facing fines or facing citations because they failed to take care of their animals in a proper way."
Field says McGinnis will be given ten days to keep the horses fed or further action will be taken.
Field also says he will help McGinnis advertise the horses for sale.
http://www.kcentv.com/news/c-article.php?cid=1&nid=9101
Tiger dies in Itanagar zoo, food poisoning suspected
SAMUDRA GUPTA KASHYAP
GUWAHATI, FEB 21: A Royal Bengal Tiger cub died under mysterious circumstances at Itanagar zoo in Arunachal Pradesh last night, a day after four tigers in the zoo fell ill following suspected food poisoning.
Sources said it has been suspected that miscreants mixed poison in the food provided to the animals on Sunday evening, which resulted in four of the big cats falling ill. The vets put in their best efforts with locally available resources, to which only three of the tigers responded positively.
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=88374
Teen Sentenced for Breaking into Wilmington Zoo
FEBRUARY 20, 2006 -- One of the teenagers arrested for breaking into a Wilmington zoo and killing animals is heading to prison.
David Ballard, 18, was sentenced to ten to 14 months in prison.
He was charged with breaking into the Tregembo Zoo on Carolina Beach Road and killing prairie dogs.
Ballard also has a separate charge of possession of a firearm by a felon. The other teens arrested for breaking into the zoo will go before a judge in March.
http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?s=4526947
"Extreme Dinosaurs," which is open through
May 14, features 12 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs that growl, roar, chirp and stare you down. Set throughout a winding tropical path, they depict scenes of everyday dino life, from fighting to feasting, as well as mothering.
Zoos in Sydney and Melbourne have agreed to send 40 Australian native animals to a safari park in Thailand at which it is alleged many animals have died, Fairfax newspapers report.
In exchange Melbourne Zoo and Taronga Zoo will import eight Asian elephants.
The plan is detailed in a memorandum of agreement between the Thai government and the Victorian and NSW government signed in June 2004, the newspapers are reporting.
It was tabled in the Sydney Administrative Appeals Tribunal during a recent attempt by animal welfare groups to stop the elephant import.
One Thai activist told the Fairfax newspapers birds in the Chiang Mai Night Safari were dying every day, three out of six crocodiles had died of infection and one hyena was killed by others, while Thai media claim 104 animals have died.
In a statement, the zoos said the transfer of Australian animals to Thai zoos was not contingent on the elephant program.
The statement said zoo staff would raise the issue of the reported deaths with Thai authorities on a visit to Thailand next week
http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/lifestyle/article/0,2821,TCP_24451_4472820,00.html
Zoo will go back to earlier closing time
By Jason Miller The News-Dispatch
The Washington Park Zoo will operate on traditional hours of operation next season after an experiment with different hours didn't prove profitable.
“We tried different changes, like later hours, but very few visitors took part in the late hours,” Zoo Director Johnny Martinez told the Michigan City Park Board on Thursday. “We had to have two shifts, and that just didn't work.”
As it has in the past, the zoo will operate from April 1 to Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with gates closing at 4 p.m.
Those hours, Martinez said, will make things easier on the zoo staff and on visitors.
“It will allow school kids to come in a little earlier instead of later in the day,” he said. “There won't be that madhouse at the gate. And all of our staff can stay on a one-shift schedule.”
Last year on specific days the zoo was open long enough that staff could fill the day in a normal, eight-hour shift.
“At least we tried,” Park Board President Bob McKee said about the different hours. “We're out there trying different things and that's good.”
Martinez also recommended zoo fees remain the same for 2006. He did, however, ask the board look into raising fees in the near future when a new North American Carnivores exhibit is completed.
The exhibit will house bears, river otters and mountain lions.
Currently, general admission rates for the zoo are $4.50 for those ages 12-61, $3 for seniors age 62 and older, $2.50 for children ages 3 to 11 and free for children two years old and younger.
Group rates for education groups such as schools, scouts and organizations that serve the handicapped are $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and for children.
Children two and younger are free.
Contact reporter Jason Miller at jmiller@thenewsdispatch.com.
http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2006/02/17/news/n3.txt
Aussie animals for troubled Thai zoo
Zoos in Sydney and Melbourne have agreed to send 40 Australian native animals to a safari park in Thailand at which it is alleged many animals have died, Fairfax newspapers report.
In exchange Melbourne Zoo and Taronga Zoo will import eight Asian elephants.
The plan is detailed in a memorandum of agreement between the Thai government and the Victorian and NSW government signed in June 2004, the newspapers are reporting.
It was tabled in the Sydney Administrative Appeals Tribunal during a recent attempt by animal welfare groups to stop the elephant import.
One Thai activist told the Fairfax newspapers birds in the Chiang Mai Night Safari were dying every day, three out of six crocodiles had died of infection and one hyena was killed by others, while Thai media claim 104 animals have died.
In a statement, the zoos said the transfer of Australian animals to Thai zoos was not contingent on the elephant program.
The statement said zoo staff would raise the issue of the reported deaths with Thai authorities on a visit to Thailand next week.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Aussie-animals-for-troubled-Thai-zoo/2006/02/18/1140151839171.html
Powerball Equals Projects At Henry Doorly Zoo
OMAHA, Neb. -- Powerball equals projects at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, so Powerball fever is a welcome phenomenon.
Saturday's Powerball jackpot is a record-setting $365 million -- $2 million over the old record. When the jackpot gets large, more people buy tickets. Nebraska's law calls for lottery funs to be divided among the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund (44.5 percent), education (44.5 percent), the Nebraska State Fair (10 percent) and the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund (1 percent, plus the first $500,000 in fund proceeds each fiscal year), according to NELottery.org.
http://www.ketv.com/news/7162970/detail.html
Finally, a facelift for city zoo
Mumbai: Unnatural deaths of animals may soon become a thing of the past at the Veer Jijamata Udyan zoo. International consultant firm McKinsey & Co, which was asked by the BMC last February to study the feasibility of modernising the zoo, has given the plan a green signal.
McKinsey has proposed that the BMC float a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to undertake the Rs120 crore plan in four phases to revive the zoo spread over 50 acres at Byculla.
The BMC is set to announce next week an allocation of Rs35 crore in its annual budget.
McKinsey has suggested that the BMC appoint an international consultant to guide the SPV in carrying out the work because the civic body lacks the necessary
expertise. Besides civic officials, the SPV will have animal activists and professionals on its board.
http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1013565
Pandas too cute to let go, but too pricey to keep: US zoos
www.chinaview.cn 2006-02-18 13:27:04
BEIJING, Feb.18 -- Three US zoos – Zoo Atlanta, Memphis Zoo and San Diego Zoo – are planning to renegotiate with the Chinese government to reduce the cost of renting pandas. "If no agreement with China can be made, the zoos may have to return their star attractions" Dennis W. Kelly, chief executive of Zoo Atlanta, was quoted as saying in the New York Times this week.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-02/18/content_4196433.htm
Bringing the zoos to the zebras
Princeton biologist reports at AAAS on partnership with St. Louis Zoo to empower Kenyan communities in endangered Grevy's zebra conservation
Princeton biologist reports at AAAS on partnership with St. Louis Zoo to empower Kenyan communities in endangered Grevy's zebra conservation
The Grevy's zebra is the most endangered member of the horse family in the world, with an estimated 2000 left in the wild. More than 70 percent of these live in the Samburu region of northern Kenya, most of them on unprotected community lands. Now an innovative partnership between Princeton University and Saint Louis Zoo's WildCare Institute is bringing effective conservation of Grevy's zebras within reach for Samburu pastoral cooperatives.
Dr. Daniel Rubenstein of Princeton University reported on this pioneering effort at the annual meeting of the American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS) in St. Louis on February 17, 2006. Rubenstein is chair of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and director of the Program in African Studies at Princeton University, as well as a board member and principal investigator for Earthwatch Institute. In a talk titled "Engaging and Empowering Local Communities in Conservation," Rubenstein described how data gathered by local communities are leading to important changes in attitudes toward Grevy's zebra conservation.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-02/ei-btz021506.php
Calgary Zoo announces Arctic Shores exhibit
Last updated Feb 16 2006 12:55 PM MST
CBC News
The Calgary Zoo has plans to build a new $100 million Arctic exhibit.
Zoo officials say the attraction will be a replica of Canada's North and will include sights and sounds of the Arctic – even a species from the Antarctic – penguins.
Grahame Newton, director of corporate affairs, says it'll put Calgary on the map in an ever bigger way.
"It is a very exciting project, it's really a showcase of life in the north and we hope to use this as a way of educating and raising awareness with visitors to the zoo; about how plant and animals and people in the north interact."
http://www.cbc.ca/calgary/story/ed-arctic20060216.html
Virginia Zoo director resigning for job in California
Lewis Greene
By DEBBIE MESSINA, The Virginian-Pilot
NORFOLK — The director of the Virginia Zoo resigned Thursday to run the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in California, where voters have approved a tax increase to pay for about $100 million in improvements.
Lewis Greene, who has led the zoo for 3½ years , called it a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a zoo professional.”
The 18-acre central California zoo has plans to more than double in size over the next decade.
“The community there voted to tax themselves for this reason,” Greene said, “so my goal is to prove their trust and investment is warranted by providing them with a good product .”
http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=99743&ran=145710
Rare Kiwi Hatched at the National Zoo
WASHINGTON -- National Zoo veterinarians are celebrating a rare event at the Bird House this week.
A North Island brown kiwi -- an endangered bird -- hatched at the zoo on Feb. 13 and was the second kiwi to hatch in the zoo's 116-year history, zoo officials said.
The bird hatched after 64 days of incubation and weighed 9.7 ounces. Zoo veterinarians determined the bird was healthy and placed the chick -- whose gender is not yet known -- into an incubator, where it will remain for the first week.
http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=25&sid=701438
Donate Used Cell Phones To National Zoo
Zoo Partners With Kentucky Company
POSTED: 9:21 am EST February 16, 2006
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WASHINGTON -- The booster organization at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park wants your old cell phones.
Friends of the National Zoo are joining with a Kentucky company to start a program to recycle cell phones, batteries and accessories.
Depending on each phone's resale value, the company, Eco-Cell, will donate as much at $15 to the zoo group.
The cell phones, which are being refurbished for distribution in developing countries, can be dropped off at the zoo's visitor center.
The zoo group says cell phones contain toxic materials and pollute the environment when disposed in landfills. Recycling also helps protect the habitats of endangered African gorillas where a rare metallic ore is mined in forests to be used in cell phones.
That mining has increased with the demand for more cell phones.
http://www.nbc4.com/news/7114906/detail.html
Wake County private zoo closes
WAKE FOREST, N.C. The Triangle Metro Zoo has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors over the past eight years. But the private attraction has gotten to be too much for its owner to manage, and it closed this week.
The zoo in Wake Forest is one of two private zoos in North Carolina to shut down recently. The Soco Gardens Zoo in Maggie Valley recently closed after more than 50 years.
Larry Seibel owns the Triangle Metro Zoo. He said it was just too expensive and too hard to find knowledgeable employees, and the facility never quite rebounded from a fire in 1998 that damaged several buildings.
Most of the animals are now gone to other zoos and to a couple of independent collectors.
Information from: The News and Observer, http://www.newsobserver.com
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
http://www.wwaytv3.com/Global/story.asp?S=4511464&nav=menu70_2
Pandas prove too costly for zoos
Duke City pushes for new exhibit
By Erik Siemers
Tribune Reporter
February 16, 2006
The expense of housing a panda exhibit is proving a financial burden for the four U.S. zoos that host the rare Chinese bamboo eaters.
But that's not deterring city officials, who continue to pine for the exotic animal - and the $2 million facility it will cost to house one.
The Duke City's plans for a panda exhibit at the Rio Grande Zoo "has always been very unique," said Ray Darnell, director of the Albuquerque Biological Park, which includes the zoo. "It's as cost-effective as any animal."
However, zoo directors in San Diego; Washington, D.C.; Memphis, Tenn; and Atlanta have issued concerns with the Chinese government over the costs associated with hosting the pandas, said Dennis Kelly, president and chief executive of Zoo Atlanta.
http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/nw_local/article/0,2564,ALBQ_19858_4472161,00.html
A trunk-full of elephants
(Courtesy of The Elephant Sanctuary) :: Tarra, one elephant at The Elephant Sanctuary, roams through the lush vegetation in the woodlands. Eight elephants have been transported here after being mistreated at the Hawthorn Corporation.
By Nick Schaefer
HappyNews Volunteer Editor
Updated: 02/16/06
Transporting elephants 650 miles can be a complicated process But that is exactly what eight elephants have done. Relocating from the Hawthorn Corporation in Richmond, Ill. to The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tenn., the elephants paired up two at a time and embarked on the 12-hour journey in a special chain free semi-trailer.
This story was written by Citizen Journalist Nick Schaefer. We encourage you to click the Tip Jar to support this writer's work.
The change of address was prompted by a United States Department of Agriculture lawsuit against the Hawthorn Corporation. According to Carol Buckley, Director and Co-founder of the Sanctuary, the USDA found the Corporation guilty on 19 counts of elephant abuse. Part of the mistreatment included the entire herd being exposed to the human strain of tuberculosis.
"We are pleased that the USDA enforced their regulations," said Buckley. "We are also pleased that the elephants were released to the sanctuary where they can live out the remainder of their lives in a more natural setting."
The Sanctuary, founded in 1995, encompasses over 2,700 acres and is the nation's largest natural habitat refuge. Intended to meet the needs of endangered African and Asian elephants, the elephants get to enjoy their natural habitat of pastures, wooded areas, streams and ponds.
http://www.happynews.com/news/2162006/A-trunk-full.htm
2 zoo levies to go before the voters on May 2
$100,000 home's tab for year put at $56.65
By ERICA BLAKE
BLADE STAFF WRITER
After a barrage of questions and recommendations from citizen review committees, future funding for the Toledo Zoo will now be left to the voters.
Lucas County commissioners approved putting two tax levies on the May 2 ballot. The zoo is asking for both a five-year, 0.85-mill operating levy and a 10-year, 1-mill capital improvements levy.
If both are approved, the taxes will cost the owner of a $100,000 home a total $56.65 annually: $30.62 a year for the capital levy and $26.03 for the operating levy.
"The zoo does face some very significant financial challenges at this time," said Gary Smith, a member of the zoo's board of trustees. "At the same time, taxpayers have made a significant contribution to the zoo over the past years, and that's what we want to protect today."
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060215/NEWS38/602150427
Zoo Worker Attacked at the Birmingham Zoo
A Birmingham zoo keeper is in the hospital after being attacked by a lion.
Melissa Wright is an employee at the Birmingham zoo where officials say, the lion lunged at her during a feeding session Wednesday morning.
The attack happened while zoo employees were moving the animals from their overnight holding areas to their outdoor exhibits.
Melissa Wright was feeding a 19-year-old lion named Sheeba, when it attacked.
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=4509320&nav=0RdE
Price hikes linked to Katrina boosts zoo expansion costs
Associated Press
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Higher prices for building materials and fuel in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina have boosted the projected cost of a city zoo expansion by $11.5 million - an increase that could force the project to be scaled back.
Mesker Park Zoo Director Dan McGinn said that the higher costs associated with the zoo's new entry complex and a South American rain forest exhibit dubbed "Amazonia" is forcing zoo officials and architects to modify their plans.
Because the alternatives generated an additional 80 pages of blueprints, they have pushed back the opening for bids on the project by two weeks until the Parks Board's March 1 session.
As an example of building-cost increases linked to Katrina, McGinn said zoo officials just learned concrete will go up March 1 by $7 a cubic yard.
"It's a bit disheartening, after three years living with this (project), that a natural disaster has reduced what we can do," he said.
McGinn said that new offices and conference rooms that had been planned for the entry building may have to be shelved to keep rain forest exhibits on track.
A 17,000-square-foot open plaza area is also envisioned as a part of the complex. The rain forest exhibit will be beneath a roof 45 feet high and will include tropical trees, birds, monkeys and a jaguar.
The improvements are being paid for by a $15.3 million bond issue. Construction is expected to take from 18 months to two years, putting the likely completion date in late 2007 or early 2008.
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/news/local/13881133.htm
Seven Sisters Join 'The Don' For Auckland Zoo Gig
1:14 PM, 16 Feb 2006
Iconic Kiwi songwriter Don McGlashan is looking forward to putting on an exuberant show with his talented new band, The Seven Sisters, during their Coca-Cola ZooMusic series performance at Auckland Zoo on Saturday 25 February.
This will be McGlashan's second time performing at the unique outdoor zoo venue, and comes just ahead of his two sell-out shows happening next month at the NZ International Arts Festival in Wellington.
Wellington band, Little Bushmen, who won much praise during their successful stint supporting Dave Dobbyn's recent national tour, will add to this top night of Kiwi entertainment. The band combines the masterful musicianship of singer/guitarist Warren Maxwell (from dub/roots acts Fat Freddy's Drop and recently defunct TrinityRoots), drummer Rick Cransen, and Joe Callwood on guitar.
http://www.newswire.co.nz/main/viewstory.aspx?storyid=302607&catid=3008
Zoo keepers knew of gaps in temporary grill: Report
Court appoints four-member panel to probe death of 16 deer z Commissioner, Bittu Sahgal tour zoo.
Express News Service
Mumbai, February 15: It was a gap in a temporary grill, not a wire mesh, that let three stray dogs into the deer enclosure at the Byculla zoo. After the incident on Monday morning, the gap was quickly patched up with wire mesh
There were three or four such gaps in the grill at various spots, large enough for a stray to squeeze through. The animal keeper was aware of these
The temporary grill had been erected under the instructions of suspended deputy superintendent Dr M V Wani. The grill was placed around the enclosure using available material, without any consultation
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=170029
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