Zoos
San Diego Zoo
Welcome to the Wild Animal Park. You'll never get closer to the animals!
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wap/wap_landing.html
Zoo Receives New Giraffe
After months of living alone at the Little Rock Zoo, Jigsaw the giraffe has a new companion: a 1-year-old giraffe from San Diego.
The Little Rock Zoo announced yesterday that it has acquired a male giraffe -- which has not yet been named -- from the San Diego Wild Animal Park.
Five-year-old Jigsaw has been living alone since the death of his father, Barney. The elder giraffe died this year after he contracted a digestive condition known as "frothy bloat," which caused him to fall over and die.
Susan Altrui, a spokeswoman for the zoo, says that Jigsaw and the new giraffe have hit it off. The new giraffe, which is eleven-and-a-half feet tall and weighs more than a thousand pounds, is now in quarantine at the zoo. It is expected to be on exhibit later this summer.
Zoo officials are considering letting a donor name the new animal.
http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=30897
Zoo Meals Mimic Wild Diets
Zoo Nutritionist Tries To Balance Animals' Diets
POSTED: 10:20 am CDT July 6, 2006
UPDATED: 1:25 pm CDT July 6, 2006
OMAHA, Neb. -- The Henry Doorly Zoo is widely recognized as one of the top zoos in the world, and in order for the Omaha landmark to continue to thrive, the stars of the show must do well. That's why nutrition is important to zoo officials and its residents.
Each animal receives a specific diet. Sometimes they get treats, but for the most part, the zookeepers and the zoo nutritionist plan the meals.
Cheryl Dikeman is the Henry Doorly Zoo nutritionist -- one of only eight in the country. Dikeman's job for the past year has been to make sure each of the animals in the zoo get a diet as close to what they eat in the wild as possible.
From selecting just the right leaves for the giraffes to figuring out a way to supplement the vitamins lost in the frozen fish that are fed to the penguins each day, Dikeman said she sometimes uses a digestive system we understand to figure out what another animal needs.
"The giraffe is a really good example," Dikeman said. "We know on the inside, the giraffe is a lot like a cow -- digests foods a lot like a cow. When we start working (we use) those animals as models."
Exotic or endangered animals can pose special nutritional challenges.
http://www.ketv.com/family/9476851/detail.html
London Zoo among the Worst in the Country
'Tyson' the Kangaroo suffers while the Ontario government shrugs responsibility
Attention: Assignment Editor, City Editor, Lifestyle Editor, News Editor
LONDON/ON/NEWS RELEASE--(CCNMatthews - July 6, 2006) - The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) investigated three southwestern Ontario zoos this June. It observed Lickety Split Zoo (London), Greenview Aviaries Park and Zoo (Ridgetown) and Pineridge Zoo (Grand Bend), to see if improvements have been made since last year's investigation. Sadly, very little has changed since the 2005 audit where zoo expert, Dr. Ken Gold gave all three zoos a failing grade.
http://www.ccnmatthews.com/news/releases/show.jsp?action=showRelease&searchText=false&showText=all&actionFor=602646
London zoo cited as unfit
Fri, July 7, 2006
Activists call animal conditions 'deplorable" and urge Lickety-Split be improved.
By DANIELA SIMUNAC, FREE PRESS REPORTER
Eighteen-month-old Alasdair MacLean-Fraser looks at Tyson the kangaroo at the Lickety-Split Ranch and Zoo yesterday. The World Society for the Protection of Animals cited the animal yesterday in criticizing the zoo. (Susan Bradnam, The London Free Press)
Animal rights activists have zeroed in on the living conditions for a kangaroo at a private London zoo, branding it one of Canada's worst zoos and calling for it to be improved.
But the owner of the Lickety-Split Ranch and Zoo, Shirley McElroy, said anyone concerned about the living conditions of the red kangaroo Tyson should "come down and see for themselves" if the marsupial is being mistreated.
"Everybody is welcome to come, take a look and check it out," she said yesterday, adding she's had no complaints from the zoo's visitors and "they all come back."
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/Local/2006/07/07/1672185-sun.html
Missing monkey sighted near hospital
By Ruth Tisdale
Oops the monkey has been sighted near Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, according to Mill Mountain Zoo director Sean Greene. He said zoo officials were en route to the scene.
The 11-year-old Japanese macaque escaped from the zoo during a routine cage cleaning on Sunday. Scores of searchers have been combing the woods around the zoo since then, hoping for a sight of the missing monkey.
http://www.roanoke.com/news/breaking/wb/72683
Monkey seen a half mile from Roanoke zoo
BY REX BOWMAN
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Jul 7, 2006
ROANOKE -- A little monkey that made a big escape from Roanoke's Mill Mountain Zoo early Sunday was spotted yesterday for the first time in at least two days.
The 20-pound macaque named Oops was seen eating leaves on a wooded slope behind a hospital, but she once again eluded searchers who spent nearly 90 minutes looking for her amid the thick kudzu behind Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. The hospital is a half mile down the face of Mill Mountain from the zoo.
Sean Greene, the zoo's director, said he was told a patient alerted the hospital to the monkey's presence by making monkey gestures. The patient apparently was unable to speak, Greene said.
Later, a patient on the hospital's 10th floor saw the monkey and told a nurse. A hospital police officer said patients, nurses and doctors watched the monkey for up to 30 minutes before calling police. Police then called animal-control officers who called zoo officials.
Greene was in the middle of a 4 p.m. news conference at the zoo -- in fact he had just told reporters "we have no idea where it's at" -- when he was told the monkey had been seen near the hospital.
He raced down the slope and spent the next hour and a half with other zoo workers fruitlessly looking for the animal.
Oops' escape made national news when she bolted from the zoo where she was born 11 years ago. Oops is the first animal to break out of the zoo in its 55-year history.
Yesterday, Greene revealed how Oops made her escape: A zookeeper had entered the macaque bunker to clean it, closed the door behind her, but failed to lock it. While the zookeeper had her back turned, Oops turned the handle and opened the door.
"She let herself out," Greene said. He added that the zookeeper is no longer cleaning the macaque area but still has her other duties.
"I stand behind this person," Greene said. "Nobody feels worse about this than this keeper."
Greene said zoo officials still hope the monkey will stay close to the zoo and eventually return. Mill Mountain has plenty of leaves and berries for the monkey to eat, and recent rains mean Oops should be able to find water.
The zoo has called for volunteers to help scour the wooded mountain.
Contact staff writer Rex Bowman at rbowman@timesdispatch.com or (540) 344-3612.
http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149188989244&path=!news&s=1045855934842
SPCA questions baby giraffe's death at Vancouver zoo
Last Updated: Thursday, July 6, 2006 4:21 PM PT
CBC News
The Greater Vancouver Zoo is again under investigation by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, this time for the death of a baby giraffe born in captivity.
The eight-day-old animal died last week, but the zoo didn't make an announcement until Wednesday night.
Dr. Bruce Burton, the veterinarian treating the animal, told CBC Radio the giraffe had gone through a "difficult" birth on June 21.
He said the mother was drugged for the birth and later stepped on the newborn giraffe, likely breaking its ribs. He said the baby also suffered from pneumonia.
The SPCA's Eileen Drever says she isn't satisfied with that explanation, and plans to investigate the death.
But she doubts it could have been prevented under the circumstances.
"It's really unfortunate that this animal had to die. The fact is, nobody forced them to breed the giraffes."
The Aldergrove facility is already facing two counts of cruelty to animals, for its treatment of Hazina the hippopotamus. Those charges were laid after a report by the SPCA.
Burton says the baby giraffe died the same day that Hazina was being moved to a larger enclosure.
"I think everybody was so focused on responding to the SPCA and making sure that everything was fine with Hazina, that maybe not as much attention was being paid to other things at the zoo at the same time."
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2006/07/06/bc-giraffe.html
Truly Nolen Sponsors Tony Gustin’s Creepy Crawly Insect Zoo
By Brad Harbison
7/6/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. – Truly Nolen announces the sponsorship of Tony Gustin’s Creepy Crawly Insect Zoo, a popular interactive, touring insect exhibit for children.
Gustin, whose family owns Milwaukee-based Unico Spray Products, launched the Creepy Crawly Insect Zoo in 1995 and throughout the years he has continually refined his presentations and exhibits (see Business Takes Shape). A colorful speaker, Gustin often uses humor to entertain and educate students about insects. The centerpiece of the exhibit is — of course — the insects. Children are given the opportunity to handle bugs such as millipedes, walking sticks, beetles, cockroaches and praying mantids. They also get to interact with Gustin during Q&A sessions
http://www.pctonline.com/news/news.asp?ID=4332
Rare Monkey Born At New Zoo Habitat
Baby Not Yet Named
POSTED: 5:19 pm PDT July 6, 2006
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SAN DIEGO -- The first baby monkey born in the San Diego Zoo's new multi-million dollar habitat is a rare breed known as a lesser spot-noses guenon.
The youngster, born mid-May, has become more visible recently as it learns to climb and explore the Monkey Trails habitat, San Diego Zoo officials said. The newborn's gender has not yet been determined and it has not been named.
Lesser spot-nosed guenons share their habitat with the black mangabeys, a rare primate from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Both species are threatened in the wild by the rapid deforestation and illegal bushmeat trade.
The baby's father, Lester, had been a victim of the exotic pet trade in the U.S. before the San Diego Zoo adopted him in 1996, officials said.
The lesser spot-nosed guenons are on exhibit daily at The San Diego Zoo.
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/9480376/detail.html
Zoo Announces Birth Of Takin Mulan
July 6, 2006 02:49 PM EDT
Mulan has arrived at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
No Mulan isn't the Disney movie but a one month old female Takin making her debut today.
Mulan was born to Xena (mother) and Noah (father) and is the third successful Takin birth at the Zoo.
The animal, which is native to mountainous areas of the Himalayas and China, normally resides in bamboo forests and feeds on grasses and leaves.
Takins usually grow to about three to four feet tall and can weigh between 550-770 pounds.
http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=5120236&nav=menu63_2
Zoo Atlanta gorilla gives birth
The Associated Press - ATLANTA
A Zoo Atlanta gorilla gave birth Thursday to the fifth western lowland gorilla born at the zoo in the past eight months.
The baby was born while the mother, Sukari, was on exhibit around 3 p.m., and a few zoo visitors who witnessed the birth alerted zoo staff, spokeswoman Susan Elliott said.
"It appears average in size and extremely healthy," Elliott said.
Gorilla mothers keep babies close to their body, so officials probably won't know the sex for three to five weeks. The baby will remain unnamed until they do.
Sukari and baby are expected to be on public exhibit this weekend, Elliott said.
http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfullstory.asp?ID=77413
Longtime resident monkey dies at teaching zoo
The staff of America's Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College recently announced that they euthanized a 43-year-old female primate on June 20, after a rapid decline in the animal's condition due to advanced age.
Koko, a brown capuchin monkey, was one of the first animals acquired by the zoo shortly after it opened in 1974. She educated thousands of students in the Exotic Animal Training and Man
agement (EATM) program over the years, said long-time staff member Mara Rodriguez.
Under the guidance of the primate instructor, Koko had been aone-on-one training animal for more than 75 students in 31 years. Over the years Koko was a show and tour favorite, bringing education and entertainment to thousands.
http://www.moorparkacorn.com/news/2006/0707/Community/006.html
Zoo showing off 2 newest babies
By HINA ALAM
The Lufkin Daily News
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Rafiki and Emi Lane, giraffes at Lufkin's Ellen Trout Zoo, are proud parents.
Their newborn son, Pekua — which means "inquisitive" in Swahili — was born around 7 a.m. Wednesday. He is their third child.
The baby weighed 146.3 pounds and stood 6 feet, 2 inches. That's some baby.
The long-awaited, spindly-legged bundle of joy was born on a bad weather day — when it thundered and rained — but zoo officials said that was good for the baby because he got to stay with the mother all day. She nursed him, and he learned to stand. "No one was here when the giraffe was born," said Celia Falzone, general curator for Ellen Trout Zoo. "But mother and son are doing well."
http://www.lufkindailynews.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/7/6/baby_animals.html
Akron Zoo is planning pajama party Saturday
Beacon Journal staff report
At the Akron Zoo's Pajama Party, from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, kids of all ages can put on their favorite pj's and learn about nocturnal life.
A portable planetarium from Science and Technology for Understanding, Research and Networking will allow visitors to walk into the structure and view constellations and star fields.
The after-hours event -- the zoo is normally closed at this time -- will include a scavenger hunt, animal encounters, a magician and a ``bedtime'' snack.
Reservations are encouraged. Cost is $12 for children and $14 for adults. Tickets purchased the night of the event cost $3 more.
For information, call 330-375-2550 or visit www.akronzoo.org.
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/living/community/14985322.htm
Philadelphia Zoo's 'Zoo on Wheels' program part of 'Thrilling Thursday'
By KARIN WILLIAMS, kwilliams@phoenixvillenews.com
07/07/2006
The library hosted the Philadelphia Zoo's "Zoo on Wheels" program, which drew about 400 children, parents, preschool teachers and camp counselors to the Theatre.
Laura Warner, Outreach Programs Manager, gave a presentation on a variety of animals, including mammals, reptiles and birds.
Although the kids in attendance were excited about all the animals, the most "oohs" and "aahs" came when Warner brought out Machu, a blue and gold macaw. Although Machu made barely a peep, Warner educated the audience about the macaw's ability to use its loud squawk to defend itself in the wild. In an attempt to get the bird to squawk, Warner asked the kids to make a lot of noise, but although Machu flapped his wings, he didn't make a peep. Or a squawk.
http://www.phoenixvillenews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16887663&BRD=1673&PAG=461&dept_id=17915&rfi=6
Cruelty allegations dog B.C. zoo
MATTHEW KWONG
ALDERGROVE, B.C. -- The BC SPCA may pin more animal-cruelty charges on the Greater Vancouver Zoo after it investigates how a baby giraffe died and why the facility waited a week to announce the death.
Eileen Drever, a senior animal-protection officer, said that while it is still early, the group is not ruling out the possibility that charges might be forthcoming.
"[Laying charges] is definitely not out of the question," she said. "The BC SPCA definitely has concerns about animals there, but we really can't comment until I speak to more experts and after we conduct an inquiry."
The British Columbia Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has the authority to enforce laws relating to animal cruelty under the province's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. It helps prepare animal cruelty prosecution cases for the Crown.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060707.BCZOO07/TPStory/National
Zoo makes do without star tenants
Friday, July 07, 2006
Marla Matzer Rose
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
With its pricey, new Asia Quest exhibit just opened and an ambitious 10-year plan to develop dozens more acres ahead of it, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has made some bold and tough choices.
For example, the zoo has decided to go without some of its most popular animals for periods rather than display them in conditions that aren’t ideal. If you go to the Columbus Zoo today, you won’t see polar bears or giraffes, though you can buy gift-shop items bearing their likenesses, and you can see giraffes in the zoo’s logo.
"Polar bears are very popular, and they’ve definitely been our No. 1 request to add for a while," said Dusty Lombardi, Living Collection director at the zoo. But their size and taste for colder climates can create challenges for zoos.
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/07/07/20060707-A4-02.html
Zoo leaders awash with ideas for park
Friday, July 07, 2006
Robert Ruth
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Wyandot Lake won’t become another Cedar Point or Sea World, but its soon-to-be owners think it will make at least $1 million a year in profit.
That’s just an educated guess, though, said Jerry Borin, executive director of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, which is buying the water park next to the zoo in Delaware County in October.
The zoo’s lease with Six Flags, the park’s operator, requires the amusement company to reveal yearly attendance and gross-revenue totals but not expense and net-profit figures.
"We can’t guarantee everything will be 100 percent foolproof," Borin said. "But we’ve looked at the economics, and they look good."
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/07/07/20060707-A1-01.html
Call to keep elephants in Thailand
Australian zoos should reconsider their plans to import eight Asian elephants from Thailand, given widespread opposition to the idea, animal welfare groups say.
RSPCA Australia, International Fund for Animal Welfare and Humane Society International say they have offered to find a solution that is in the best interests of the elephants.
The elephants earmarked for Sydney's Taronga Zoo and the Melbourne Zoo are said to be in good condition at a quarantine station in Thailand.
The elephants remain in quarantine at Kanchanaburi, in western Thailand, after an attempt to transport them to Bangkok Airport on June 6 was blocked by animal rights protesters.
Despite negotiations between the Thai and Australian governments, the elephants' departure date is still unknown.
"We encourage the zoos to work with us to help save the species in Thailand and find these eight animals sanctuary where they belong at home in Thailand," the groups said in a joint media statement.
"Not one animal welfare or conservation organisation anywhere in the world has spoken out in favour of bringing the elephants to Australia.
"If the zoos really care about these animals surely it is time for them to consider alternatives such as sending the elephants to a sanctuary in Thailand."
Recent media reports said the zoos were considering legal action against the activists standing in their way.
But a spokesman for the zoos, Mark Williams, said at the time that any talk of legal action to recover transport costs was "premature at best".
Both zoos had complied with all the necessary regulations in bringing the elephants to Australia, Mr Williams said.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Call-to-keep-elephants-in-Thailand/2006/07/06/1152175723339.html
Koala shipment delay 'not case of tit-for-tat'
KULTIDA SAMABUDDHI
The delay in the shipment of four koalas from Australia to Chiang Mai is not linked to problems surrounding the export of eight Thai elephants to zoos in Sydney and Melbourne, an Australian embassy official said yesterday. ''The delay has nothing to do with the protest against the export of the Thai elephants to Australian zoos. This is not a case of tit-for-tat,'' the official said.
The Australian government would go ahead with the transfer of two pairs of koalas to the Chiang Mai Zoo as soon as they were confident the animals would be safe in the hands of Thai zoo-keepers and veterinarians.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/07Jul2006_news13.php
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