Zoos
Zoo to bring back kids' train
BY CHRIS HAMILTON
NEWS TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
It's been about 30 years since the Lake Superior Zoo -- then called the Duluth Zoo -- had a train kids could ride.
People still fondly recall the amusement park next to the zoo with its carousel, miniature boats and roller coaster. They especially miss the little steam locomotive that ran on tracks under the park's evergreens, zoo officials and zoological society volunteers said.
So, in an effort to make the zoo more fun for families, it will bring back a train beginning Memorial Day weekend, said Anita Alberding, Lake Superior Zoo marketing director.
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/14267302.htm
Moscow zoo bear wakes up, smells spring
Published: Wednesday, 5 April, 2006, 11:49 AM Doha Time
MOSCOW: A bear in the Moscow zoo with a knack for weather forecasting has told Muscovites to hang up their fur coats and rejoice: spring is here.
The brown Kamchatka bear woke on Monday from his hibernation, the Gazeta daily reported yesterday, and that means without fail that the especially harsh Russian winter of 2005-06 can be declared over.
“For the last 20 years, the Kamchatka bear here has ended his hibernation on hearing the voice of spring,” Gazeta wrote. “Unlike staff at the meteorological centre, the animal has not made a mistake yet.”
If current conditions are anything to go by, the Moscow zoo’s weather-sniffing bear has hit the bull’s eye again.
The capital is relaxing in warm sunshine, with daytime temperatures expected to hover around seven degrees Celsius for the rest of the week - a far cry from deadly cold waves seen in January and February.
Thanks to his skills, the weather bear is something of a star.
His name is kept secret “so that visitors don’t bother him,” according to Gazeta, and his diet is under close watch.
“While he was semi-conscious, he was on a special diet and ate only apples,” Gazeta said.
“But now the bear is on normal rations, the bulk of which, apart from fruits, consists of bread, buckwheat, vegetables and a little meat.”
Understandably after his deep, months-long sleep, he is taking things step by step, the paper wrote.
“He walks around his cage, he sunbathes with pleasure. What he’s not doing yet is interacting with visitors.” – AFP
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=80186&version=1&template_id=39&parent_id=21
Zoo rabbit cruelty man sentenced
French had blamed the incident on a teenage friend
A 20-year-old man who took a zoo's rabbit and threw it to an alligator has been given a six-month suspended prison sentence.
Damien French took the rabbit from a petting section of the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, then dropped it into the alligator pool.
The rabbit was savaged by Albert - a large male alligator.
French from Colwyn Bay, was found guilty of animal cruelty at Llandudno Magistrates' Court last month.
The prosecution at French's trial last month told the court he was accompanied by two other teenagers when he took the rabbit from an area used for children to stroke animals in October 2005.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/4879636.stm
Joburg zoo gorilla dies
April 05 2006 at 05:17PM
Max the gorilla's mate Lisa has died, the Johannesburg Zoo announced on Wednesday.
"We regret to announce that she passed away today (Wednesday) while under anaesthetic at 3.30pm," the zoo said in a statement.
Lisa had been undergoing surgery to examine a lump next to her breast.
The zoo said surgery of this nature was high risk to a gorilla of 35-years-old. A post mortem would be conducted.
Lisa came to the Johannesburg Zoo from Moscow Zoo, and was the life-long partner of crime-fighter, Max.
Max made headlines by helping to catch an armed robber who jumped into the primates' enclosure in the late 1990s.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=14&art_id=qw1144249921521B212
PETA accused of being alarmist about zoo animals
Last updated Apr 5 2006 11:39 AM EDT
CBC News
The closure of the Quebec City zoo is garnering attention from the animal-rights lobby group PETA.
Zoo closed for good March 31 at 4 p.m.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is calling on the Association of Canadian Zoos to protect the animals.
Canada's oldest zoo closed to the public on Friday, leaving an uncertain future for more than 800 animals.
RELATED: Quebec City zoo closed, fate of animals unknown
Amy Rhodes at PETA says she's worried about the animals at the zoo, and has been fielding calls about their future for the past few weeks.
"People have read about it in the news. They're horrified. They want to know what they can do. They want to know what PETA can do," Rhodes told CBC News.
The animals might end up in the wrong hands, Rhodes said.
For example, exotic animal breeders, hunters or a roadside zoo that is not accredited would be interested in getting their hands on the animals.
PETA is calling on the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums to "take charge" of the Quebec City animals.
As it turns out, there are already measures in place to protect the animals and ensure they go to other accredited institutions, says association director Bill Peters.
"It's a bit of an alarmist statement and there's no need for that sort of alarmism at this point," Peters said.
All members of his association will be available to help in any way they can, he insisted.
http://www.cbc.ca/montreal/story/qc-peta20060405.html
Henry Doorly Zoo Adopts Chinese Panda
POSTED: 4:10 pm CDT April 5, 2006
UPDATED: 4:40 pm CDT April 5, 2006
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OMAHA, Neb. -- Henry Doorly Zoo has adopted a panda from China named Sue Sue.
The baby panda won't live in Nebraska. It was a symbolic gesture to prove the zoo's commitment to panda conservation.
On Wednesday in Washington, D.C., zoo director Dr. Lee Simmons donated $35,000 to China's Wolong Nature Conserve. Zoo officials said they hope the effort will encourage China to send some of its panda's to Henry Doorly.
http://www.ketv.com/newsarchive/8490586/detail.html
Is your memory as keen as Pachy's is?
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Photos by Benjamin Brink
It's April in Elephant Town. Time to toast Pachy, she turns 44 on April 14. Think you know Pachy? Take our quiz, and let's see.
1. At 5:58 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, 1962, at the Oregon Zoo, Belle gave birth to the 301st elephant in captivity. In a citywide contest to name the babe, what was the runner-up name to Packy?
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/portland_news/1144023914270900.xml&coll=7
Photos by Deb Zureick/Cincinnati Zoo
By Connie Yeager
Post staff reporter
Spring may be bursting out all over, but nowhere is it more apparent than at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in Avondale.
The zoo boasts "the largest tulip display in Midwest" - more than 80,000 bulbs planted - along with hundreds of thousands of daffodils, hyacinths and other spring blooms amidst the flowering trees and shrubs.
The fourth annual Zoo Blooms celebration, "Tulip Mania," begins this weekend and continues through April 30.
Mother Nature is in control of the timing of the floral show (these photos from last year show what to expect when the zoo is in full bloom), but there are also quite a few man-made events planned to go along with the Zoo Blooms festivities:
http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060406/LIFE/604060334/1005
Zoo opens “The Good, The Bad and The Slimy!” exhibit
04/06/06
The New York State Zoo at Thompson Park debuted a new exhibit this morning designed to showcase the plight of native animals fighting against “alien invaders”.
“The Good, The Bad and The Slimy!” is an all-new exhibit in the Zoo’s Discovery Center. The exhibit focuses on the delicate balance of nature and how non-native species can significantly alter the environment.
The new exhibit is divided into two separate sections. One half spotlights several species of invasive plants and animals such as Norway Rats, Yellow Perch, Red Eared Slider Turtles, and Marine Toads, Swallow Wort, and Purple Loosestrife: all animals and plants Zoo Director Angela Baier says are supplanting native species and in some cases driving them to the brink of extinction. These invasive species have upset nature’s delicate balance, threatening existing habitats.
The second section features several native animals that have been terrorized by the “Alien Invaders”. Grey Tree Frogs, an American Toad, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Hognose Snake, Copperhead Snake, Soft Shell Turtles, Map Turtles and a colony of ants are available for viewing.
http://www.newswatch50.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=912378EC-916F-4BC5-B213-995DB7FAECCF
Vocal City Critic Banned From Zoo
By KEN BECK -- WMDT 4/6/2006
Enter Email Address:
It didn't take the city of Salisbury long to enforce its new zoo conduct rules. A vocal city critic is already banned. Joe Albero isn't allowed to visit the zoo for 15 days, beginning Saturday.
In a letter to Albero, Zoo Director Jim Rapp says he's just enforcing the rules adopted by the City Council last week. Among other things, they prohibit verbal abuse and harassment of zoo staff. Rapp says Albero has taken his, and many other zoo employees' pictures, and posted them on a blog site.
"They don't have the right to tell you what you can and can't do in a public place in the fashion of taking pictures. Citizens have the right to do so, even if it's of employees. It doesn't matter. If they're in the picture, they're in the picture," Albero said.
Albero says he's hired a lawyer to look into the legality of the zoo's conduct rules.
Albero's wife used to be a zoo employee. Last week, a federal judge dismissed her sexual harassment suit against Rapp.
http://www.wmdt.com/topstory/displaystory.asp?id=2050
Mass vaccination plan for Edinburgh Zoo
AURA SABADUS
PENGUINS and other rare birds at Edinburgh Zoo could be given flu jabs to protect them from the bird flu outbreak, staff confirmed yesterday.
Strict biosecurity measures have already been put in place to protect the zoo's collection of 300 birds, which include species which are otherwise extinct in the wild.
More than 150 penguins, rare Socorro doves and cassowary or Himalayan monal are some of the species closely monitored by vets as part of the zoo's contingency plans.
Iain Valentine, of the zoo, said: "It is important not to panic. In the event of a serious outbreak, we are confident the contingency plans we have are thorough and effective.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=531942006
New “Zoo Tycoon” Web Site Roars to Life
Amazing new animal content and features available at ZooTycoon.com!
Microsoft Game Studios announced today that the popular and best-selling “Zoo Tycoon” franchise is roaring to life with a new Web site. Fans of the franchise can visit http://www.ZooTycoon.com for the latest zoo news, downloadable wallpapers, coloring book pages, ring tones and much more. Gamers can fully immerse themselves in the new “Zoo Tycoon” world, which features an innovative design that is fun, user-friendly and allows fans to easily access information about current games, including “Zoo Tycoon 2” and “Zoo Tycoon 2: Endangered Species,” and upcoming releases, such as “Zoo Tycoon 2: African Adventure,” “Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania” and “Zoo Tycoon 2: Dino Danger Pack.”
http://www.stageselect.com/News/NewsViewer.aspx?newsid=1881&fromint=1
Dusit Zoo Welcomes Newborn Animals
Dusit Zoo has welcomed two white tiger cubs and six baby flamingos. The zoo also allows the general public to give these newborn creatures their new names.
Mr. Sophon Damnui, the Director of the Zoological Park Organization, revealed that two white tiger cubs and six baby flamingos are the new members of Dusit Zoo. The eight-year-old female white tiger named Erika and the 11-year-old male white tiger named Khan were the parents of these two white tiger cubs. The couple had earlier given birth to six white tigers.
Meanwhile, Dusit Zoo has six new baby flamingos, and it is known that the flamingos do not lay eggs often. However, with the zoo’s ideal natural environment, many flamingos were able to lay their eggs here. At the moment, there are 58 flamingos in Dusit Zoo.
The newborn animals have received warm welcome from the general public, and the Zoological Park Organization allows the public to give them their names.
http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=168655
Get to the zoo, and help save the rhino
Joburg Zoo has planned a fabulous holiday treat - a Rhino Conservation Challenge. Children can become rhino trainers or vets for the day, catch poachers, or simply have some healthy outdoors fun.
April 7, 2006
By Thabang Mokoka
JOHANNESBURG Zoo is going all out to save the rhinos on Saturday, 8 April, as part of the international Save the Rhino campaign.
It is the first zoo in Africa to join the initiative, a project of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (Eaza) and Save the Rhino International (SRI).
Exciting activities have been planned to make for a memorable day filled with educational entertainment.
According to the Joburg Zoo website, the campaign aims to raise international awareness of the threats rhinos face and to promote protection of these endangered animals. Secondly, it aims to raise funds for selected rhino conservation projects in Asia and Africa.
http://www.joburg.org.za/2006/apr/apr7_rhinos.stm
African adventure for zoo keeper
Apr 7, 2006
A Dudley zoo keeper will be jetting off to West Africa to do animal conservation work after leaving his job at a Black Country's tourist attraction.
Amber Woodall, of Milking Bank, said farewell to his colleagues at Dudley Zoological Gardens last Friday as he headed off to join an international primate project in Cameroon. The 22-year-old, who was born in Canada, has been at the Castle Hill site for four years.
Amber said he was excited about spending three months doing voluntary work with chimps and gorillas.
"I have very fond memories of my time at Dudley Zoo and I will miss the many friends I have made during my stay in this country," he said.
"When I have done my three months I hope to head back to Canada, firstly to spend time with my family in Montreal before finding keeping work in British Columbia."
Amber cared for all kinds of animals while at Dudley Zoo with much of his time being spent working in the popular children's farm area.
Zoo chief executive Peter Suddock said: "Amber is a much valued member of staff and will be missed by keepers and adopters, we wish him well in his new venture and hope he will keep us up to date with his conservation work.
"A lot of zoo keepers want to work with primates and this is Amber's opportunity to work with them in the rescue orphanage."
http://www.expressandstar.com/articles/news/chronicles/dudley/article_89023.php
Big Bubba Moves Into His New Digs At Oregon Zoo
PORTLAND, Oregon - Bubba, the famous Burmese python and former resident of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, moved into his spacious new digs in the Oregon Zoo's primate building on March 31. The zoo stepped in to provide Bubba a home when it became apparent he was outgrowing his exhibit at OMSI. Bubba was 10 feet long and weighed 50 pounds when he arrived at OMSI in 1997. He has grown to more than 14 feet long and now weighs nearly 100 pounds. And he could get a lot bigger!
http://www.medfordnews.com/articles/index.cfm?artOID=329639&cp=10997
Endangered species thrive at Topeka Zoo
Story by Dana Davis (Contact)
11:17 a.m. Friday, April 7, 2006
Cute and cuddly, the Bornean Orangutans at the Topeka Zoo are quite the site to see, especially with a new baby, one- year-old Rayma.
"An Orangutan is a large red ape. They are Great Apes. They are found in South East Asia. You have some found on the Island of Borneo and the Island of Sumatra," said Director of the Topeka Zoo Mike Coker.
http://www.49abcnews.com/news/2006/apr/07/endangered_species_thrive_topeka_zoo/
Zoo Season Opens with Third Annual Equine Week
Equestrian News Release
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MASSACHUSETTS HORSE MAGAZINE
NINE-DAY FESTIVAL CELEBRATES HORSES, DONKEYS AND PONIES
Springfield, Massachusetts—April 7, 2006--Work horses, companion horses, show horses, donkeys, ponies, and more will be on display and demonstrating their abilities at The Zoo throughout a 9-day period, April 15-23, 2006. In partnership with Massachusetts Horse magazine, “Equine Week” celebrates the exceptional diversity of the horse, in numbers of breeds as well as multitude of jobs they perform.
Twenty-five breeds of Equines will be visiting the Zoo for this year’s event, from all over Western and Central Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and New York. Visitors can see the equines up close and then enjoy watching demonstrations throughout each day, as each breed exhibits its expertise.
Equine Week’s returning favorites will include the colorful Paints and pintos of Chestnut Hill Farm in North Windham, CT, and trainer Jonathan Blake. Blake was 18 when he got his first Paint horse in 1976; he has trained Paint and pinto show horses since 1990. “Colored, spotted, painted, whatever you call them, pintos and Paints are not just cow ponies. They are three-day horses, fine harness horses, reiners, trail horses, and beloved family pets.”
http://www.equestrianmag.com/news/zoo-equine-week-4-06.html
ZOO'S SEAL OF APPROVAL
By HEIDI SINGER
GONE FISHING: It's feeding time at the Central Park Zoo as Herbie the harbor seal lumbers out of the water for some herring yesterday.
Photo: William Farrington
April 8, 2006 -- He may not be adept at life in the wild, but Herbie, the Central Park Zoo's newest addition, has charm to spare.
"We're talking cute!" gushed Bruce Foster, the zoo's collections manager. "He's got very large, saucer-like, dark eyes. He kisses the keepers - and he's learned how to wave one of his flippers on command."
The year-old pup was found stranded on a dock in Maine last year, partly blind and skinny because he couldn't see well enough to catch his dinner.
The zoo, eager to replace another harbor seal - which died of West Nile virus a few years ago - was happy to take him as a companion to the lonely Nicky, son of the deceased seal.
Brought to New York in December, Herbie spentthe winter in quarantine, and was just put on display.
Zookeepers say Herbie is very bright and eager to learn. And he's now at a healthy 60 pounds - still less than half the size of Nicky.
.So far, he and Nicky have been ignoring each other, but Foster is hoping for an eventual thaw in relations.
"I wouldn't say they're buds yet, but we're hoping that over time Nicky will get to enjoy Herbie's presence," he said. "He's been by himself for so long."
heidi.singer@nypost.com
http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/66734.htm
Zoo’s polar bear exhibit to get cool cash
By Tom Loftus
tloftus@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Louisville Zoo is one of the big winners in the final budget adjustments made privately by House and Senate leaders this week.
Zoo officials said last month they wanted to begin opening Glacier Run in 2009, but that goal depended on getting the $6 million from the state.
Senate President David Williams and House Speaker Jody Richards said yesterday that $6 million for the zoo’s proposed new polar bear exhibit is among the new projects added to the final version of the budget, which will be considered on Monday.
“This is a community development project that the House and Senate have agreed upon for Louisville. The zoo is a very important tourism and cultural aspect of the city of Louisville,” said Williams, R-Burkesville.
Unlike the Louisville arena, the Home for the Innocents and other major projects funded in the final budget, the money for the zoo was not in any previous versions of the budget bill.
“But it was always something that many people of Louisville considered a high priority,” said Richards, D-Bowling Green. “And the zoo is really a major highlight of tourism in Louisville — and this polar bear exhibit is really very nice.”
The state’s $6 million would help fund a $25 million improvement plan for the zoo. Most of that would be spent on an exhibit called Glacier Run, which would replace existing exhibits for polar bears and seals.
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060407/NEWS01/60407022/1008
Little River Zoo to celebrate Earth Day
The Norman Transcript
Transcript Staff
Little River Zoo's seventh annual Kids for Kindness Earth Day Festival will teach humane education to children in a hands-on environment. Voted the state's most outstanding event during the Redbud Awards, the festival will include more than 30 community booths.
All booths will be available to offer fun, age appropriate activities from noon to 6 p.m. April 23 at Reaves Park.
Some of the activities will include but are not limited to creating animal art projects, making animal kites, imitating animal movements and building a backyard habitat.
After completing the curriculum, children will graduate to become "Official Ambassadors to the Planet Earth."
In attendance will be a variety of the Little River Zoo's educational animals. Anticipated animals that may be available to touch could include Della, an African crested porcupine; Capers, a female coati; and Tiny, a huge African spurred tortoise, along with many other animal ambassadors from around the world.
Little River Zoo is home to more than 400 animals representing more than 100 different species.
Admission to the Little River Zoo's Kid's for Kindness Earth Day Festival is free, however, donations are welcome in the form of canned vegetables and meats, pet supplies, leashes and harnesses, office supplies, computer paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, gloves, rakes, tools, and so on.
For more information about the festival, call the Little River Zoo at 366-7229, or visit the Web site at www.littleriverzoo.com. The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.?
http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_099002626
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