Zoos
Zoo welcomes newborn giraffe
CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo welcomed a Masai giraffe Sunday. Photos
"Jada" was shown off to photographers Friday.At 6 feet tall, 160 pounds, the giraffe is one of the biggest born at the zoo, according to a news release.With Jada's birth, the zoo's African Savanna is home to seven Masai giraffes, including her mom, Bridgit; father, Walker and older brother Mac, born at the zoo in August, 2005.The zoo also has 11 other Masai giraffes on loan to other zoos. The Masai are the tallest land animals on earth, with females growing to more than 14 feet. There are 63 Masai giraffes in North American zoos.
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=61623&provider=gnews
Dentist targets the root of zoo's problem
Scuba diving in a shark tank is usually enough to satisfy most adventure-seekers.
But for Bridgeville dentist Dr. Dave Regine, it didn't even come close.
"I never said I was bright," said Regine, 59, chuckling. "I've had my head in an elephant's mouth, in a tiger's mouth -- you're not bright when you do that."
For more than a decade, Regine -- whose pierced left ear makes him look more like a surfer than a dentist -- has voluntarily braved razor-sharp teeth and bone-crushing jaws to keep some of the world's fiercest predators in top condition at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/today/s_488412.html
Peacocks for sale at Lahore Zoo
LAHORE: The Lahore Zoo authorities have sold over three-dozen peacocks in the past two years. In 2006 the zoo sold 20 peacocks for Rs 100,000. Peacocks are not only beautiful. They are also considered sacred. Their feathers are burnt sometimes to ward off diseases, even to cure snakebite. Makif Suri, a miniaturist from the National College of Arts, said peacocks not only depict beauty but are also an Islamic motif. Urooj Jehan, a miniature painter, said peacocks are the most stunning birds having a range of colours including turquoise, blue, green, and purple. She also said peacocks had been the favourite motif of folk and classical arts
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C01%5C11%5Cstory_11-1-2007_pg13_4
Fleeing time at the zoo
CUDGEE Creek Wildlife Park implemented its fire plan late yesterday - and when that involves evacuating a zoo full of animals it can be quite a handful.
Luckily, after hours of frantic preparation, owner Helen Altmann didn't have to follow through with her planned evacuation.
With the Cudgee CFA brigade keeping her informed of the fire's path her initial fears were allayed and the animals were able to stay put.
She had already boxed up the park's eastern quolls and prepared more than 30 pet boxes to transport monkeys and other caged animals.
``We'd planned to grab all the caged animals and load them on a ute and in two station wagons . . . other people had rang and offered us their vehicles too,'' she said.
http://the.standard.net.au/articles/2007/01/11/1168105088290.html
El Paso Zoo Gets Dishonorable Mention
POSTED: 9:27 pm MST January 10, 2007
January 10, 2007 -- On the very day the El Paso Zoo's new director arrived in town, so did a new report that lists the zoo among the nation's worst for elephants.
In Defense of Animals is giving the El Paso Zoo a "dishonorable mention," which is better than last year when it made the Top 10 Worst List for elephant habitats.
The reasons: the alleged beating of Juno by zoo supervisor, Allan Seidon, which KFOX broke last year and which led to Seidon's firing and city council's failure to look at expanding and enriching Juno and Savannah's home, something it voted to do more than a year ago.
Administrators at El Paso Zoo told KFOX the new zoo director, Steve Marshall, would not be available to make a comment on this report.
City council is expected to take up the elephant controvery at its Feb. 6 meeting.
However, city council also voted in July 2005 to check back into the elephant issue in six months; that would make it January 2006.
To date, it has never seriously considered a possible elephant expansion.
Endangered Sumatran tiger gives birth
December 12, 2006
Holiday stripes arrived at Woodland Park Zoo, not in the form of a candy cane, but the orange-and-black stripes of a Sumatran tiger cub. One cub, whose gender has not been determined, was born in the wee hours Tuesday morning, December 12, in a den box prepared for the mother. The cub’s parents are 14-year-old mother, JoJo, and 13-year-old father Rakata (RAH-ka-ta). The parents produced two female cubs in 2002 and two male cubs in 2004, now all located at other zoos. Mother and cub are currently off public exhibit to give them time to bond
http://www.zoo.org/spotlight/ss.htm
Oakland Zoo has grown to top student section
It all started about six years ago with a handful of basketball-crazed Pitt students at old Fitzgerald Field House.
From those humble beginnings, the Oakland Zoo has grown into one of the top student sections in college basketball.
"They are phenomenal," ESPN analyst Dick Vitale said Saturday afternoon. "It's the synergy of a new building and a winning program and the excitement and enthusiasm."
No. 7 Pitt (15-2, 3-0) played host to Georgetown (11-4, 1-1 Big East) in front of a sold-out Oakland Zoo at Petersen Events Center on Saturday night.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/rss/s_488534.html
Share Zoo's wild adventures
THE ENQUIRER
Is the winter weather making you long for a change of scenery? Then don't miss this chance to spend an evening hearing about some of the exciting travel adventures offered by the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in 2007.
Wildlife travel adventures with staff escorts will be offered this year to Tanzania, Kenya, Peru, Morocco and Australia.
Special travel information sessions will take place at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31 and Feb. 8 in the Frisch's Theatre at the zoo's new Harold C. Schott Education Center.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070114/LIFE09/701140369/1052/LIFE
News for Florida animal advocates
“Dissection Day” at Cape Coral Charter School was the subject of a story in Friday’s News-Press. For the 150 or so middle school students who attended the lesson, the cutting open of frozen fish may have been entertaining, but we’re not sure what the children learned?
The article described how “[Science teacher Lynn] Cloum did manage to squeeze the red drum’s mouth enough to show off the teeth. ‘Ewww!’ several kids said as Cloum manipulated the fish’s mouth. Those groans — along with cries of ‘Yuk!’ — grew louder when she and her student assistants began to carve out the fish’s eye.”
http://www.blog.animalrightsflorida.org/?p=167
7 Things You Didn't Know About PETA
http://gubmentscience.blogspot.com/2007/01/7-things-you-didnt-know-about-peta.html
PETA president and co-founder Ingrid Newkirk has described her group’s overall goal as “total animal liberation.” This means no meat, no milk, no zoos, no circuses, no wool, no leather, no hunting, no fishing, and no pets (not even seeing-eye dogs). PETA is also against all medical research that requires the use of animals.
http://www.petakillsanimals.com/article_detail.cfm?article=134
School 'goes wild' at zoo after getting A for FCAT
FCAT testing is just around the corner, and the Central Florida Zoo will be checking the grades.The Zoo's Education Department is offering schools in Central Florida a free "Go Wild!" interactive auditorium program if they improve at least two grades in the state grading system to receive an A.
The zoo began offering the program this school year, and Sadler Elementary is the first to participate. Sadler raised its state grade, based on FCAT results, from a C to an A in the 2005-06 school year.Zoo staff brought the "Go Wild!" program to Sadler on Friday for the third-grade students and will return this week to present the program to fourth- and fifth-graders.The multimedia presentation brings animals and creative challenges to the students and introduces concepts such as animal senses and animal adaptations.Older students learn about careers by playing Zoo Jeopardy and get to observe animal behaviors.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-orskulbriefs1407jan14,0,1231655.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-orange
Baby panda makes debut
By DORIE TURNERAssociated Press writer Sunday, January 14, 2007
ATLANTA -- The giant panda cub Mei Lan made her media debut Friday, romping about a Zoo Atlanta exhibit area for a crowd of reporters and cameras while her mother chomped bamboo.The 16-pound cub and her mother, Lun Lun, have been in seclusion since the cub's birth on Sept. 6. Panda fans have been keeping up with the duo on the zoo Web site's panda cam and live video feeds at the exhibit.Friday marked the beginning of limited public viewing of the pair, which the zoo expects will bring a sharp increase in attendance. Peak days could bring more than 13,000 visitors, compared with the typical 3,500, said Cary Burgess, senior vice president of operations.Although Mei Lan can walk, she is a little wobbly on her feet and tumbles easily. At four months, she is becoming more curious and tends to explore quite a bit, zoo officials said.
http://www.jacksonholestartrib.com/articles/2007/01/14/news/national/30b753ae0aac70358725726100768945.txt
Christmas At The Great Plains Zoo
A group of people braved the cold temperatures to celebrate Christmas at the Great Plains Zoo Saturday afternoon. This time, it was the animals turn to get presents. Zoo staff played Santa during the zoo's annual Christmas with the Animals. Elizabeth Whealy of the Great Plains Zoo says, “We really make sure we give our animals enriching times where they get play things or special food treats and Christmas with the animals is one of those days.” Old Christmas trees proved to be a popular gift among the snow leopards. Because of the cold weather, some of the animals weren't able to come outside to enjoy their treats. The zoo also had indoor activities for people who attended the free event, like crafts and tours.
Zoo's Lion Exhibit Closed Two Months for Repairs
The North Carolina Zoo's African lion exhibit closed Jan. 10 for two months while repairs are made to the lion and chimpanzee holding facilities.
As a result of the construction work, the zoo's two adult lions and the triplet cubs born last October will not be on public view until the work is completed in early March.
Repairs to a leaking roof in the holding facilities shared by the chimps and lions had been slated to begin in December, but were postponed due to contract delays. The work will involve removing several feet of soil in the lion habitat which covers the roof of the holding building below.
Residents start petition drive for Glen Oak Zoo site
By Kim CarolloPosted: Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 4:54 PM
PEORIA -- A group of East Bluff residents went door-to-door to win support for a school at the Glen Oak Zoo site.
With a petition in hand, they gathered signatures of people who want to put the new District 150 school near the zoo.
They hope to get the park board to change its mind and allow the district to build the school there.
The residents say it's a good learning environment for students.
Some local school children say they like the idea of having a school so close to their homes.
"I just believe that's a perfect place for a school. It's right there on the corner, they have access to the park, it gives them plenty of room to do all their activities,” said Lance Sperry.
"I think it's real good, because since we live right here, and I have to go all the way to Von Steuben so I think it's real good that there's a school right here,” said Jacob McFarland.
"It would go better with the zoo, too, because if you were going on a field trip, you could just go next door and learn about the animals,” said Noah Curtwright.
The group hopes to present the petition to the park board sometime in the next month.
£35,000 floods in to save zoo animals
Generous Mail on Sunday readers have donated more than £35,000 to help animals in Romanian zoos after an investigation by this newspaper.
The World Society for the Protection for Animals and Born Free were flooded with contributions - and the cash is still coming in.
The charities believe they will now be able to act on plans to rescue animals from zoos that face closure under European Union law.
It is feared many may be slaughtered if zoos across the impoverished country are forced to close because of poor standards.
Last week, we highlighted the plight of animals including three bears at Bucharest Zoo that were seen walking endlessly in circles in their small cages. WSPA plans to rehouse them at a bear sanctuary in the Carpathian mountains.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23381608-details/ýý35,000%20floods%20in%20to%20save%20zoo%20animals/article.do
Inspired by a zoo, a natural diet is shown to be good for health
In an experiment filed for BBC2, nine volunteers were moved in a tented enclosure at Paignton Zoo in Devon, England to live on an ape-like, hunter-gatherer type of diet for two weeks to see what effect a mostly raw, low saturated fat, plant-based diet would have on their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The volunteers ranged in ages from 36-48 and they are up to 5kg of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and honey a day. Typical foods included: Broccoli, carrots, radishes,cabbage, tomatoes, watercress, strawberries, apricots, bananas, mangoes, melons, figs, plums and hazelnuts. Clearly the food was from all over the world and not just one region, but the meal plan did meet the daily nutritional and calorie requirements recommended for adults. Volunteers also drank water and, in the second week, were given "standard portions of cooked oily fish... a nod to a more hunter-gatherer lifestyle" of humans.
http://www.slashfood.com/2007/01/13/inspired-by-a-zoo-a-natural-diet-shown-to-be-good-for-health/
Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
Friday morning we went to the Jerusaelm Biblical Zoo, Wiki Entry... Here are some fun photos I thought I share with you all...
As we walked in, this monkey was watching new visitors enter the Zoo...
http://www.cartoonbarry.com/2007/01/jerusaelm_biblical_zoo.html
What's that rattling in the Vilas Zoo snake house?
A timber rattlesnake is the latest addition at the Henry Vilas Zoo, officials announced Friday.
The rattler will be on display at the zoo's new venomous snake exhibit, courtesy of the state Department of Natural Resources.
The snake has been listed as a protected wild animal and is typically found from Texas to Minnesota, including from southwestern Wisconsin all the way north to Pierce County.
The snake is not considered a threat to humans or livestock and usually lives in remote bluff prairies and oak woodlands, zoo director Jim Hubing said in a news release.
Hubing said Wisconsin's other venomous snake species, the swamp snake known as Massasauga, will be added to another new exhibit as soon as a specimen is available.
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/index.php?ntid=114799&ntpid=7
Zoo critic's court case settledBy Ben Penserga Staff Writer
SALISBURY -- A Delmar resident and local blogger with an adversarial history toward the City of Salisbury agreed Friday to stay away from the Salisbury Zoo for two years in exchange for having his charges placed on an inactive court docket.
In a brief hearing in Wicomico County District Court, Judge Daniel R. Mumford honored a request by Somerset County State's Attorney Kristy Hickman to have Joe Albero's 24 assault, trespassing, disorderly conduct and harassment charges resulting from incidents at the city zoo placed on the stet docket. Friday's motion means that the case will not be actively pursued by either party.
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070113/NEWS01/701130316/1002
A bit of a loo, a bit of a zoo
By Herald staffSaturday, January 13, 2007 - Updated: 01:36 PM ESTIt’s not just a toilet, it’s a fish tank.
The Fish ’n Flush toilet-tank aquarium “turns the bathroom into the center of attention,” according to its Web site.
Whether that’s a good thing or not is debatable, but it’s hard to deny the product looks pretty cool.
The fish appear to be swimming around in the toilet’s tank. But don’t worry, a flush won’t send them down the drain. The aquarium wraps around the tank, but it’s completely separate.
The home-decorating novelty was invented by accident when a group of designers at Westminster, Calif.-based Aqua One Technologies was having a brainstorming session, said Aqua One’s chief operating officer David Parrish yesterday.
First, they showed a Fish ’n Flush prototype to a client as a joke, then they took one to a trade show and soon the orders started pouring in, Parrish said.
“It’s taken on a life of its own,” he said.
Parrish said Aqua One began shipping the Fish ’n Flush Nov. 1 and has already sold more than 1,000 of them.
People love it. It’s been a long time since someone’s done something new and different with the toilet,” Parrish said.The Fish ’n Flush can be purchased online at www.fishnflush.com for $299. Fish, food and gravel are not included.
http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=176879
Buy a peacock for Rs 5000 flat at Lahore Zoo!
Lahore, Jan 13: Peacocks are up for sale at the Lahore Zoo, and the authorities here have sold over as many as 36 peacocks in the past two years. In 2006, the Zoo sold 20 peacocks for a whopping Rs 100,000.Peacocks are not only beautiful, they are also considered sacred. Their feathers are burnt sometimes to ward off diseases, even to cure snakebite. Urooj Jehan, a miniature painter, said peacocks are the most stunning birds having a range of colours including turquoise, blue, green, and purple. She also said peacocks had been the favourite motif of folk and classical arts. She said feathers had been used in the Mogul era. "Several Mogul dishes were embellished with its feathers," she added.
http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=347526&ssid=204&sid=LIF
Memphis Zoo hopes for panda pregnancy
Memphis-Jan. 11, 2007 5:07pm CST - Visit the zoo the next few days and you won't see the pandas, but you will see a 'do not disturb' sign, the kind you put on a hotel door when you don't want to be bothered. Well the pandas don't want to be bothered either. It's mating season.
"It's not an easy thing. Even though you got two pandas, one is male and one is female, it's not a sure thing. They don't always show a lot of interest in reproducing for some strange reason. So we hope to do what we can to encourage that." says Matt Thompson, Curator of Mammals at the Memphis Zoo.
http://www.wreg.com/Global/story.asp?S=5927775
Zoo Polar Bear To Have Root Canal
Staff Noticed Koda's Jaw Was Swollen
POSTED: 12:55 pm EST January 12, 2007
UPDATED: 1:10 pm EST January 12, 2007
PITTSBURGH -- How can you tell if a polar bear has a toothache?
"It's not easy," says Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium lead keeper Kathy Suthard. "We noticed the right side of Koda's jaw was swollen, he wasn't eating, and was not as playful in the water as he is usually is."
The polar bear keepers thought it might be a toothache, but they weren't sure. Since they have already trained the polar bears to open their mouths, the keepers asked Koda to open his.
It took several tries before he opened up and keepers spotted the problem. The tip of Koda's bottom right canine tooth had broken off and the area around the tooth was inflamed.
The zoo vet staff confirmed through an examination and x-rays that the tooth was infected and would need a root canal. Koda was put on antibiotics to clear up the infection.
http://www.wpxi.com/news/10733669/detail.html
Zoo assault, trespassing cases placed on stet docket for Delmar man
Ben Penserga Staff Writer
SALISBURY — A Delmar, Del. man and local blogger with an adversarial history toward the City of Salisbury agreed to have criminal charges from an incident at the city zoo placed on the inactive docket this morning.
In a brief hearing in Wicomico County District Court, Judge Daniel R. Mumford honored a request by special prosecutor Kristy Hickman to have 24 assault, trespassing, disorderly conduct and harassment charges against Joe Albero placed on the stet docket, meaning the cases will not be actively pursued by either party.
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070112/NEWS01/70112004
Teaching zoo to house endangered butterfly
An endangered species captive rearing program will begin this year at America's Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College.
Last fall, Jana Johnson, parttime biology faculty, and Michlyn Hines, zoo operations supervisor, obtained a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit for the zoo to establish a secondary captive rearing site for the endangered Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly.
"The Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly (Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis) is arguably the most endangered butterfly in the world," said Johnson.
The primary breeding site in the United States for the butterfly is the Defense Fuel Support Center, San Pedro, Calif. The pupae, or developing butterfly, will be removed from refrigeration at the center and moved to Moorpark on Feb. 13.
http://www.moorparkacorn.com/news/2007/0112/Community/018.html
Blake brings glamour to Sydney Zoo with Jankovic
Sydney, Jan 12: Tennis world number five James Blake and WTA Tour player Jelena Jankovic were treated to a hands-on experience of Australian wildlife at the Sydney Zoo on Thursday. Blake possibly did not want to be this close to one of the snakes. And Jankovic was maybe a little too close to one of the koalas. "Can I touch his butt?": Jelena Jankovic. Later Blake was on court at the ATP Tour Medibank International, facing Evgeny Korolev of Russia in the quarter finals. Blake is the defending champion here and the American, playing his first tournament of 2007, displayed champion-like form. Blake won 6-1, 6-4 in just 53 minutes, and thinks he's preparing nicely for next week's Australian Open. "I felt pretty warm. But I know that it's going to get hotter in Melbourne (at the Australian Open), so it's perfect to get ready for it. Last year I know it was really hot here in Sydney, and I feel great to be playing this well in the heat, especially coming from indoors, where I was practicing in Connecticut.": James Blake.
http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=347432&ssid=92&sid=SPO
Zoo prepares farewell to dying tiger
MONCTON, N.B. -- A small zoo in southeastern New Brunswick is planning a rare winter opening so that people can say their final goodbyes to an ailing Siberian tiger.
Tomar the tiger has been a beloved attraction at the Magnetic Hill Zoo in Moncton for close to 20 years.
Zoo officials said yesterday the old cat is suffering from kidney failure, and he's not expected to live much longer.
"It's tough now, but there will be tougher days ahead," said Bruce Dougan, general manager of the Magnetic Hill Zoo.
http://winnipegsun.com/News/Canada/2007/01/12/3320427-sun.html
Get taste of Blue Bell's new flavors at EP Zoo
By Humberto J. Vergara / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 01/12/2007 12:00:00 AM MST
Homemade Vanilla, Strawberry and Mint Chocolate Chip are some of its old-fashioned, traditional flavors. Hot Chocolate and Chocolate Covered Cherries are some of its innovative new flavors.
In conjunction with its 100th anniversary celebration, Blue Bell Ice Cream is sharing a traveling tour and a couple of scoops of creamy goodness with El Pasoans.
Blue Bell is presenting various branch events such as the "Blue Bell 100 Years" exhibit as it travels across 16 states.
The tour is scheduled to stop at the El Paso Zoo on Saturday and Sunday.
"Who doesn't like ice cream? Blue Bell is going to bring some of their merchandise and some cool interactive displays, and at the end of these displays you get to sample free ice cream," said Liz Kern, spokeswoman for the zoo, who added that all the proceeds will benefit the local Boys & Girls Club. "It's a great opportunity to celebrate that dessert that everyone loves and to enjoy a nice day with the entire family."
http://www.elpasotimes.com/entertainment/ci_4997146
Marching penguins draw crowds at Ueno Zoo
Tokyo Ueno Zoo's "penguin parade" is delighting adults and children alike.
The king penguins' weekly walk, which takes them along a 280-meter course at the zoo, is a popular attraction.
The event started about 10 years ago, when the penguins were taken out of their pen so it could be cleaned. On some days as many as 1,000 people gather along the course.
The strolls take place every Thursday from 2:30 p.m., and will continue until about March. (Mainichi)
http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/entertainment/japanofile/news/20070112p2g00m0et018000c.html
Zoo staff begin major headcount
Every one of London Zoo's 600 different species is being counted as part of the attraction's annual stock take.
From giraffes to stick insects, zoo keepers will leave no stone unturned in their task.
The headcount will reveal the full extent of the zoo's growth during 2006, right down to the very last Madagascan Teal duckling.
An enclosure for gorillas and an area for the endangered golden lion tamarin monkeys will open later this year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6250887.stm
Polar bear cub at the Detroit Zoo recovering after root canal
Talini, a 2-year-old polar bear cub at the Detroit Zoo, is recovering after undergoing surgery for a root canal, zoo officials said.
The popular bear on Wednesday underwent the two-hour surgery on a lower canine tooth. Ann Arbor veterinary dentist Dr. Ben H. Colmery III, performed the surgery for free.
Talini's surgery required zoo staff to get the 420-pound bear into a zoo surgical suite for the work. Zoo staff administered anesthesia and fluids and monitored her vital signs.
"It's more difficult to perform a root canal in a young animal, especially a young polar bear," said zoo chief veterinarian Dr. Ann Duncan. "The internal pulp of the tooth is very large in a young animal, and in Talini's case the tooth is almost four inches long."
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070111/UPDATE/701110456
Dublin Zoo
Dublin Zoo is Ireland's top family visitor attraction. Visitors can explore the thirty-acre African Plains - home to giraffes, zebras, hippos, rhinos, lions and chimpanzees - and take a trip on the Nakuru Safari! Highlights of any visit will be the keepers 'Tiger Talk' (11.15am), Chimpanzee Chat (12pm), and 'Sea Lion Splash' (2.15pm). New Amur tiger and waldrapp ibis exhibits have been unveiled recently, as well as the fascinating Meerkat Restaurant. A unique experience in Ireland, the restaurant includes a small colony of inquisitive meerkats observing unsuspecting visitors! Dublin Zoo works in partnership with zoos worldwide, to make a significant contributiion to the conservation of the natural diversity of life on earth. Visit Dublin Zoo for a unique, fun, wild experience close to the city centre! In doing so, you are contributing directly to the continued care of the animals.
http://www.visitdublin.com/SeeAndDo/Detail.aspx?id=248&mid=361
Zoo gets more funding for Glacier Run
Business First of Louisville - 10:45 AM EST Thursday
The Louisville Zoo has received a $1 million gift from Brown-Forman Corp. for a new exhibit called Glacier Run.
The capital campaign for the exhibit, which is scheduled to open in 2009, has raised $9.4 million toward its $25 million goal, according to a news release.
In the past, Louisville-based Brown-Forman (NYSE: BFB) has donated more than $1.7 million to various zoo projects, including Gorilla Forest. Sandra Frazier, a co-chair of the capital campaign, is a Brown-Forman director.
Glacier Run will be a 4.3-acre outdoor exhibit based on the theme of an old gold-mining town bordered by a glacier. It will feature polar bears, arctic foxes, snowy owls, reindeer and other arctic animals.
http://louisville.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2007/01/08/daily29.html?jst=b_ln_hl
In pictures: Animals count at London Zoo
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_6250000/newsid_6252500/6252515.stm
Cold Weather at the Zoo
We been saying it for a week now and the cold is finally beginning to set in across the region. With those cold temperatures, we`ll more than likely be bundling up before we take a step out into the elements.But what about our furry friends?After a series of Alberta Clippers shooting their way across the Northern Great Plains, it`s winding up a frigid one two punch on the region. And with temperatures hovering at just around zero for the next couple of days, I decided to find out how the animals at the zoo faired in this weather."All the animals that are outside now will remain outside all winter long and through these cold snaps, it`s not a problem," said Rod Fried, Assistant Director at the Dakota Zoo.It`s not a problem because of the dedication of the zoo keepers. Their first priority is to make sure they have plenty of drinkable water.
http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=4500
A touch of warmth at Delhi Zoo
NEW DELHI: With an intense cold wave sweeping North India, Delhi Zoo authorities have taken special measures to ensure that the animals and birds remain warm and cosy throughout the season.
To protect the big cats -- lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars -- from the freezing cold, the authorities have put heaters in their cages. The heaters are switched on during the night.
As the floor gets increasingly cold, wooden panels have been placed inside each cell, said a zoo official.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/11/stories/2007011106410200.htm
Beavers' eyes on county jobs
He cites Brookfield Zoo, Botanic Garden for lack of diversityBy Mickey CiokajloTribune staff reporterPublished January 11, 2007
William Beavers may no longer be a Chicago alderman but his love of patronage didn't die when he left City Hall.He took it with him to the Cook County Board where, if he could, he'd spread his philosophy throughout the suburbs.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0701110069jan11,1,348084.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true
Zoo, garden still lacking minorities
January 11, 2007
By Jonathan Lipman Staff writer
Ongoing problems with low minority employment at the county-supported Chicago Botanical Gardens and Brookfield Zoo prompted angry questioning by commissioners Wednesday.
Minorities made up 22 percent of the work force at both institutions, both down from last year. Cook County's population is 52 percent minority.
Commissioner Bill Beavers (D-Chicago), who just joined the board after decades pushing for minority hiring in Chicago as an alderman, called the figures "ridiculous."
"I've been going to the Brookfield Zoo for 65 years," Beavers told zoo officials. "That's a long time. ... You mean to tell me it took this long to find one (black) person who could fit one of these qualifications?"
Of the zoo's 431 year-round employees, Beavers noted, only 12 are black.
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/news/206554,111NWS6.article
Animal rights group ranks zoo worst in nation
by Rebecca PalshaWednesday, Jan. 10, 2007
Anchorage, Alaska - It's an accusation that doesn't seem to be going away: Could Maggie the elephant live a better life if she was not at the Alaska Zoo?
This time, the allegations come from the California animal rights group In Defense of Animals, which claims Maggie is being tortured. IDA says that Maggie is essentially being tortured because she no longer has a companion. Her keepers, however, say that's just not the case.Maggie's an elephant who does not like being ignored.
"They're amazing animals," said Alaska Zoo executive director Pat Lampi.
But something is wrong here. Something is missing; at least that's what In Defense of Animals claims.
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=5923555
El Paso Zoo Gets Dishonorable Mention
POSTED: 9:27 pm MST January 10, 2007
January 10, 2007 -- On the very day the El Paso Zoo's new director arrived in town, so did a new report that lists the zoo among the nation's worst for elephants.
In Defense of Animals is giving the El Paso Zoo a "dishonorable mention," which is better than last year when it made the Top 10 Worst List for elephant habitats.
The reasons: the alleged beating of Juno by zoo supervisor, Allan Seidon, which KFOX broke last year and which led to Seidon's firing and city council's failure to look at expanding and enriching Juno and Savannah's home, something it voted to do more than a year ago.
Administrators at El Paso Zoo told KFOX the new zoo director, Steve Marshall, would not be available to make a comment on this report.
City council is expected to take up the elephant controvery at its Feb. 6 meeting.
However, city council also voted in July 2005 to check back into the elephant issue in six months; that would make it January 2006.
To date, it has never seriously considered a possible elephant expansion.
Zoo celebrates birth of wolf cubs
AFTER a barren 20 years, the patter of 20 pairs of little paws can be heard in the wolf enclosure at Colchester Zoo.Tallulah and Wilfy, a pair of timber wolves, are the proud parents of five cute little cubs, which are the first to be born for 20 years at Colchester Zoo.Zookeepers think the baby wolves were born on either May 13 or May 14, but they did not venture out of their den until June 3.
http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/news/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=News&tBrand=EADOnline&tCategory=zNews&itemid=IPED16%20Jun%202006%2017%3A59%3A06%3A447
FROM JULY
Zoos help animals adapt to weather
As temperatures surge, zoos try to keep wildlife, humans happy in their habitat
08:31 PM CDT on Friday, July 14, 2006
By FRANK TREJO / The Dallas Morning News
Think this week has been hot?
Just imagine how Chloe feels as she swelters in her full-length fur coat and swings from one tree branch to another.
But Chloe and her fellow chimpanzees – KC, Victoria, Mookie, BonBon, Missy and Koko – are keeping cool, thanks to workers at the Dallas Zoo. As temperatures soar to triple digits, zoo officials closely monitor conditions and make adjustments.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/071506dnmetzooheat.ed3dd6.html
The Prague Zoos Wants More Visitors
Prague Zoo wants to attract more visitors, even though last year it was visited by more than one million people. Its popularity is enhanced by the good location near Botanical Garden and Troja chateau.
Prague Zoo expects two new baby gorillas. At the turn of January and February and in May two gorillas are expecting their young. Zoo owns a new couple of tapirs coming from New Orleans. Soo new caracal will arrive to Zoo. Also a new refreshment with outside tables will be open together with a cafe, a confectionery, new public toilets and a gift shop.
Botanical Garden in Prague promises better information boards, new pathways and better sanitary facilities. There might be a new garden house soon. Botanical garden plans several new exhibitions: Palm Days (16/1 – 4/2), Orchids (10/2 – 25/2), Haptic Exhibition: Magical Flowers and Animals (21/4 – 29/4), Exhibition of Butterflies CR (1/6 – 30/6) and Carnivorous Flowers (4/9 – 16/9).
http://www.abcprague.com/2007/01/16/news-in-prague-zoo-and-botanical-garden
Prague's flood-ravaged riverside zoo reopens
PRAGUE - Visitors were allowed through the gates of the Prague Zoo this weekend for the first time since mid-August, when flooding forced the evacuation of more than 1,000 animals.
Zoo officials said the heavy death toll caused by the rushing waters - 135 birds, an elephant, two hippos, a lion, a seal and a gorilla - was still apparent from the many empty cages across the site.
Some animals have yet to be returned to the riverside zoo because of stress from the flooding.
"We hope visitors will understand that they will not be able to tour the entire zoo grounds...(but) really, we need to return to normal life," zoo spokesman Vit Kahle said.
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/17689/newsDate/10-Sep-2002/story.htm
The Prague Zoo
There is so much to see in Prague that the causal visitor soon gets caught up in a heap of guide books and maps, and with so much of the old city accessible by foot, the tendency for blisters and weary legs is virtually inevitable. But don't let this put you off adding one day to your itinerary to visit the zoo. The experience of Prague Zoo, all but forgotten by most city guides, and shunned by almost all tourists, is nonetheless one that will stay with you for a long time.
http://www.pragueexperience.com/places.asp?PlaceID=804
Brookfield Zoo using donated mammogram machine to diagnose animals
CHICAGO A mammogram machine donated to Brookfield Zoo has gotten a second life helping veterinarians check the insides of tiny critters from lizards to tarantulas.
St. James Hospital and Health Centers in Olympia Fields donated the unit to the zoo in west suburban Chicago in the fall. Hospital officials estimate it produced mammograms for more than 40-thousand women.
But in the last four months, it has also been used on birds, a bat, a shrew, a hedgehog and a sea horse.
Zoo officials say the machine's helpful for tiny bodies. But it also works for larger animals, as long as the animal part that's being examined can fit on a platform about the size of a piece of paper.
The machine produces highly detailed images of bones, muscles, tissues and organs, while exposing the patient to less and more narrowly targeted levels of radiation.
Group ranks Birmingham Zoo among worst in U.S. for elephant treatment
BIRMINGHAM -- An animal protection group is protesting the treatment of an aged Asian elephant named Mona, which it claims is the most mistreated zoo elephant this side of Alaska.
The California-based In Defense of Animals placed the Birmingham Zoo atop its list of the 10 worst U.S. zoos for elephants because the 7,900-pound Mona lives alone in an indoor/outdoor enclosure roughly the size of two basketball courts.
Zoo officials say Mona is well cared for, and they dismiss the group as extremists who've never even visited her.
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070116/NEWS02/701160321/1009
1 million people visited the Detroit Zoo in 2006
More than a million people visited the Detroit Zoo last year, the ninth time in the past decade it has reached that mark.
In all, 1,001,737 visited the zoo in 2006, according to Detroit Zoological Director Ron Kagan.
"It's great to see the community continue to enjoy the Detroit Zoo," he said.
Other milestones set last year include more than 6 million crickets fed to amphibians, 182,000 fish fed to penguins and more than 11,000 pounds of meat fed to Amur tigers at the zoo.
For more information, visit www.detroitzoo.org.
New pygmy hippo arrives at zoo
The birth of a healthy, nine-pound female hippopotamus was reported Tuesday by Louisville Zoo officials.Consistent with their policy of not announcing births until they are sure of the newborn’s health, zoo officials said the hippo was born between 6 p.m. Dec. 25 and 8 a.m. Dec. 26. Pygmy hippo births are rare. There are only 50 of the animals at 22 locations in North America, zoo officials said.The gestation period for pygmy hippos is 184 to 204 days
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070116/NEWS01/70116046/
Winter blast closes Oregon Zoo
By DREW CARNEY, kgw.com Staff
The latest blast of winter weather in the Portland area led to an unusual closure at the Oregon Zoo. The zoo is normally open seven days a week, every day of the year, except Christmas, but the snowy and icy conditions on Tuesday prompted zoo officials to close their gates to the public.
Some of the animals would certainly agree with the decision to suspend normal zoo operations. The "hoofstock", i.e. zebras, giraffes, antelopes, etc., are particularly opposed to the wintry conditions. Their hoofs are like high-heels when it comes to walking on icy ground.
Other animals, of course, relish the opportunity to frolic in weather like Tuesday's. The obvious members of this group include the polar bears, but others, including the tigers and even the elephants, enjoy a good snowfall.
The keepers at the zoo say the elephants have been known to roll up snowballs with their trunks and there are even rumors that they have thrown their trunk-rolled snowballs from time to time.
The zoo is normally open from 9am to 4pm during the winter months. For more information you can contact the zoo hotline at 503-226-1561 or check out the link to the zoo's website below.
Taronga Zoo's Kodiak bears turn 30
Wednesday Jan 17 13:52 AEDT
There was no sisterly love lost as two bear sisters celebrated their 30th birthday on Wednesday at Sydney's Taronga Zoo, marking a giant milestone for two of the world's oldest Kodiak bears.
The sisters, Cynthia and Bethel, each guarded a massive Atlantic Salmon before shredding it with their sharp claws and devouring the red flesh in front of dozens of photographers and onlookers.
The "girls", whose ancestors come from three islands near Alaska, arrived in Australia from the US at the tender age of one, and have lived together at Taronga Zoo for the past 21 years, the zoo's carnivore keeper Louise Ginman said.
"They are sisters, but there's no sisterly love when there's good food around," Ms Ginman said.
"In the wild, they are solitary so they would normally live alone.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=177952&rss=yes
Palm Beach couple's gift to aid zoo animal hospitalLevines' $2.5 million donation is lead gift in $7 million campaign.
By SHANNON DONNELLYDaily News Society Editor
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
The Palm Beach Zoo's sorely needed animal hospital is an elephant-sized step closer to reality — and all because of the generosity of a Palm Beach couple.
Melvin J. and Claire Levine are the donors of the lead gift of $2.5 million to the $7 million capital campaign for the animal hospital, which will be named for them.
"We have always cared deeply for animals, for science and for the natural world," Melvin Levine said. "When we heard about this opportunity to ensure that our zoo animals would have a first-rate health-care facility, it was a good fit with our personal interests."
The Melvin J. and Claire Levine Animal Care Complex, sited to overlook Baker Lake, comprises the Salvatore Zeitlin Hospital, named for the zoo's longtime veterinarian; the Center for Conservation Medicine; and the Wildlife Wellness & Nutrition Center.
http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/content/news/zoo0117.html
Zoo Commission Endorses Idea Of Sending Elephant To Sanctuary
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Zoo Commission on Tuesday endorsed the idea of sending Ruby the African elephant to a wildlife sanctuary, but stopped short of acting on the plan.
Ruby is kept separate from the zoo's other elephant, named Billy, and suffers from both a lack of companionship and the harsh impact of the hard concrete floor in her enclosure, according to animal rights activists.
Efforts to transfer Ruby to the 150-acre PAWS wildlife sanctuary in San Andreas would give the 45-year-old pachyderm about 500 times the space of her current enclosure at the Los Angeles Zoo, according to Catherine Doyle, a representative with In Defense of Animals.
http://www.nbc4.tv/news/10765889/detail.html
HAPPY HOLLOW ZOO GETS RARE SHEEP, HISTORY LESSON
01/16/07 10:55 PST
SAN JOSE (BCN)
Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose is welcoming four new residents to its family.
Four Navajo churro sheep have arrived at the zoo from two locations in California.
From the Santa Ana Zoo comes Yazhi, an adult female whose name means "little one'' in Navajo, and 9-month-old twins Hogan and Diyogi, whose names mean "home'' and "weaving'' respectively. Sergei, an adult male, is from a private breeder in Southern California.
The sheep have historical relevance as they are the same type of sheep that were first brought to America in the 16th century by Spanish explorers.
http://cbs5.com/localwire/localfsnews/bcn/2007/01/16/n/HeadlineNews/NAVAJO-SHEEP/resources_bcn_html
Monkey Business At Little Rock Zoo
An escaped chimpanzee at the Little Rock Zoo raided a kitchen cupboard and did a little cleaning with a toilet brush before sedatives knocked her out on top of a refrigerator. The 120-pound primate, Judy, escaped yesterday into a service area when a zookeeper opened a door to her sleeping quarters, unaware the animal was still inside. As keepers tried to woo Judy back into her cage, she rummaged through a refrigerator where chimp snacks are stored. She opened kitchen cupboards, pulled out juice and soft drinks and took a swig from bottles she managed to open. Keeper Ann Rademacher says Judy went into the bathroom, picked up a toilet brush and cleaned the toilet. Rademacher says the 37-year-old Judy was a house pet before the zoo acquired her in 1988, so she may have been familiar with housekeeping chores. Judy wrung out a sponge and scrubbed down the fridge. It took a couple of tries, but the zoo sedated the chimp, who fell asleep on top of the refrigerator with half a loaf of cinnamon-raisin bread she had pulled out of the freezer. The zoo veterinarian gave Judy a drug to bring her around. Rademacher says Judy was groggy but fine after the episode. The zoo says there was no danger Judy would get out of the primate keepers service area and onto zoo grounds.
http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=40202
The World’s Oldest Zoo
Vienna Zoo
Welcome to the world’s oldest zoo (founded 1752!). Building on its long history, Tiergarten Schönbrunn has developed into one of the most modern zoos in the world over the last 10 years. Our top attractions include Giant Pandas, koalas, the first elephant born in Europe using artificial insemination techniques, and a rainforest house modeled after the ecosystems of Borneo. Why don’t you click through our homepage, book your next vacation to Vienna, and come visit us in Schönbrunn!
Yours sincerely
Dagmar Schratter, Director
http://www.zoovienna.at/e/index.html
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